Two-thirds of respondents to the Save the Children Scotland and Young Scot poll said fighting child poverty was a priority
Some 2,600 young people aged 11–26 were asked what the new government should prioritise in its first 100 days, in research from Save the Children Scotland and Young Scot.
Two-thirds (66%) said fighting child poverty was a priority, the highest-ranked issue, ahead of the NHS, education, climate change, and the economy.
Some 43% said ministers are not doing enough to help tackle the problem, and 61% said they know families in their area affected by poverty.
Claire Telfer, head of Scotland at Save the Children, said: “Young people have sent a clear message to the Scottish Government: tackling child poverty should be a priority from day one.
The poverty that was rife in West Dunbartonshire 60 years ago is still with us.
“It’s significant that child poverty was ranked above every other issue we asked about. Young people see the reality of poverty in their communities and want to see meaningful action to change it.
“The important thing now is that we listen and work together to deliver the change young people want to see.
“The Scottish Government has set an ambitious target to reduce the number of children experiencing poverty to less than one in ten by 2030.
“While progress has been made, young people still see double that number – one in five of their peers – missing out on opportunities they need to thrive.”
She added: “We are calling on the government to publish a revised child poverty delivery plan in the first 100 days that sets out how they will build on progress to date and meet these vital targets.
“Young people deserve a clear roadmap for change, and it’s time to deliver.”
Young people also backed a range of measures to support children and families, including free food for under-18s in schools and colleges, improved mental health services, access to good quality homes, and increased support through benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment.
Young Scot chief executive John Loughton said: “Scotland’s young people have spoken clearly – tackling child poverty should be the Scottish Government’s priority. When two-thirds of young people, in a poll of thousands, identify this as the issue that matters most, we should all listen.
“These findings show that young people understand poverty sits at the root of many of the systemic challenges facing Scotland, and their message couldn’t be clearer – reducing child poverty should be not only a long-term ambition, but an immediate priority.
“Too many young people see the impact of poverty every day, and they are asking for action that matches the scale of the challenge so that the benefits are felt across generations.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.