Child poverty has risen in every Ayrshire council area according to research by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty coalition.

In East Ayrshire, they say that there were 587 (27.3 per cent of all children) more children living in poverty in 2019/20 than there were in 2014/15. In North Ayrshire, 484 more (27.9 per cent). And in South Ayrshire, an increase of 318 (24.8 per cent).

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, passed by the last

Parliament, requires the Scottish government to ensure fewer than 18 per cent of children are living in poverty by 2023/24, and 10 per cent by 2030.

The End Child Poverty campaigners are urging that local powers, including over economic development, housing and financial support, are all used to maximise family incomes and reduce the costs parents face. They say the impact of COVID-19 on women’s employment in particular is now pushing many women and their children into greater poverty.

John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group said: “The new Scottish parliament must act on election promises and make tackling child poverty its top priority.”

.. But child poverty also needs to be a priority at local level. Local powers, including over economic development, housing and welfare, must be used to maximum effect to ensure all families have a disposable income fit for giving children a decent start in life.”

Carol Mochan, the newly elected South Scotland MSP, said:

“Scotland is one of the richest countries in the world yet in our own area a quarter or more of children are living in poverty, that is simply unacceptable. If a single child is growing up in poverty then politicians are not doing their jobs correctly.

“I have lived and worked in East Ayrshire most of my life and the amount of kids you hear about needing teachers to give them food or sitting exams on an empty stomach is shameful.

“I will be writing directly to the Scottish Government asking what immediate plans they have to tackle child poverty in our area and I will not settle for more excuses, this has to be our number one priority. Enough is enough.”