SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed a range of Scottish Government proposals to tackle child poverty – including plans for a new income supplement, which will provide financial support to families who need it most.
Increasing family incomes and reducing living costs are prioritised in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, which sets out how the Scottish Government will meet ambitious legal targets to tackle child poverty.
Actions include a new £12 million employment support fund will help parents in work progress their careers and support unemployed parents into work.
Other initiatives include a new national entitlement for the School Clothing Grant, to help with the costs of uniforms and sports kits, and new support for after-school and holiday childcare, helping parents work more flexibly and increase their incomes.
The report comes after independent analysis found that, if the Scottish Government did nothing, Tory welfare cuts would mean 38% of Scottish children would be in relative poverty by 2030/31. 
Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
“In a country such as Scotland no child should have their chances limited by poverty.
“I’m delighted that this ambitious plan includes a range of actions to support families in East Lothian and Midlothian with the cost of living and direct financial support.
“And the ambitious proposal for a new, targeted income supplement show that, when we have the power, the SNP will take action to make Scotland a fairer, stronger country.
“Under Tory cuts, money being is taken from the pockets of low income families, pushing them into crisis, debt, and poverty, with our public services and emergency aid responding as best they can.
“That is why the SNP in government will take action to increase household incomes and reduce costs, supporting children and families here and now.”
The Child Poverty Delivery Plan is available here:
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/03/4093

Colin Beattie, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, visited MacTaggart Scott as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Established in 1898, MacTaggart Scott is a privately owned Scottish engineering company based in Loanhead near the city of Edinburgh. Along with its extensive technical resources and manufacturing facilities, MacTaggart Scott has contributed to projects such as Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, the largest ships built by the Royal Navy, as well as the Tower Bridge and the Thames Barrier in London.
 
Scottish Apprenticeship Week celebrates the successes of apprentices across the country as they prepare to enter the workforce. Apprenticeship programs such as that of MacTaggart Scott allow for crucial skills development and network-building opportunities that give young Scots an advantage in multiple industries and sectors. Data from the Scottish Government notes that 75% of employers felt that Modern Apprentices improved productivity. Studies by Skills Development Scotland show that 91% of apprentices are still in employment six months after completing their programs.
 
Commenting on the visit, Colin Beattie said:
 
“I enjoyed my visit to MacTaggart Scott, Loanhead and am grateful for their strong efforts in supporting Scottish apprenticeships. The apprentices I met were bright young individuals with promising futures and I wish them the best luck moving forward.”