Scottish Labour brands First Ministers’ commitment to eradicate child poverty as ‘empty rhetoric’

A COMMITMENT to eradicate child poverty in Scotland by First Minister John Swinney was dismissed as “empty rhetoric” by Scottish Labour today.

Mr Swinney, who leads the SNP government at Holyrood, will say in a speech in Stirling on Wednesday that tackling child poverty is a “moral imperative.”

The First Minister is appealing for support for the SNP’s Budget Bill, which is expected to be tabled at Holyrood in February.

The SNP has pledged £3 million to lift the Westminster government’s two-child benefit cap in Scotland — but not until 2026.

Scottish Labour social justice spokesman Paul O’Kane said: “Children in Scotland need more than empty rhetoric from the SNP government and the fact is there is little new in the SNP’s budget that will have a direct impact on poverty.

“After almost 18 years of SNP failure, we need a change in direction to lift children out of poverty.

“Scottish Labour wants to see the two-child cap lifted in the upcoming budget and a comprehensive plan to tackle the root causes of poverty by creating good jobs, delivering affordable housing and public transport and building an education system that provides opportunities to all.”

Since the SNP lacks an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, with just 62 seats out of 129, Mr Swinney needs the support — or at least the abstentions — of other MSPs if the Budget Bill is to pass.

Scottish Labour, with 22 seats, has decided to abstain, so the legislation is expected to be carried.

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