Aberlour charity ‘deeply disappointed’ by general election campaign as tackling child poverty ‘not a priority

Scotland’s biggest children’s charity has said it is “deeply disappointed” at all political parties for failing to offer meaningful plans to tackle the scourge of child poverty. Aberlour said politicians had failed to realise the scale of the problem that affects one in four kids north of the Border and one in three across the UK. SallyAnn Kelly, the charity’s chief executive, spoke out ahead of a hustings event in Glasgow tonight where representatives of the main parties will be invited to have their say on how to tackle child poverty. The audience will be made up of young people as well as other organisations working to support the most vulnerable people in society. Kelly said: “Watching this general election campaign unfold you wouldn’t know we had a child poverty crisis. It has barely registered as an issue worth discussing by the main political parties, and that is deeply disappointing. Seemingly it isn’t a priority. “At Aberlour, we know it is the priority of our young people. Our young people tell us about the impact the cost of living has on their families. “They tell us about the food insecurity they see in their schools. They tell us about the shame and stigma they often feel when they don’t have money to do things with their friends. “That’s why, along with our young people, we are hosting our own election event where we will be putting child poverty front and centre of this general election campaign. “Our young people will come together today in Glasgow to quiz political parties on what they will do to end child poverty. “The fact is children have waited long enough for governments at Westminster and Holyrood to prioritise tackling child poverty. An entire generation of children has been traumatised by the damage done by austerity policies. “This has had a profound impact on the levels of disadvantage we see at Aberlour every day within the families we work with and the communities we serve.” The charity boss added: “Something has to change – our children demand it. They can’t wait any longer for real and meaningful action. “Tackling child poverty is the first and most important thing any government must do to if it wants to create a fairer and more equal society. “But it cannot be done without investment. The next UK Government must urgently invest in policies that address the root causes of poverty and disadvantage.” To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here