A leading think tank has backed Scottish Labour’s call for introduction for the income supplement to be fast tracked. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report said: “Scotland is at a precipice. Either it allows child poverty to rise as it is expected to do across the UK, or it uses the powers the Scottish Parliament now has to take a different path.” Their report underlines the need for urgency.

The report also states that the Government’s plans, to deliver an income supplement from 2022, “would fail to meet the key principle of urgency we have heard in our conversations with people who have experience of life on low incomes.”

The SNP government currently propose delaying the supplement’s introduction until 2022, leaving families who are struggling to make ends meet wait three years for the help they need.

The calls come shortly after the Scottish Government’s own poverty commission urged the SNP to introduce the supplement in this parliament.

Jackie said:

“The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s calls make it clear that the income supplement must be delivered urgently. It simply isn’t good enough to make those who are struggling the most wait three more years for the help they desperately need.

“Around 22% of children in West Dunbartonshire and 16% of children in Argyll and Bute live in families with limited resources. They are struggling now.

“After calls from their own poverty commission, experts and charities it is time that the SNP listen to their advice and ensure that they introduce the income supplement without delay.

“The SNP Government must bring forward legislation in the next Programme for Government and get money to low income families well ahead of 2022.”