THE next Scottish government must be “brave and bold” if it is to meet legally binding targets to cut child poverty, campaigners have warned.

Barnado’s Scotland’s manifesto, launched just days before Scotland goes to the polls, calls for a new national action plan to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation as well as extending free, universal, school meals to all P6s and 7s to help cut child poverty to 10 per cent over the next parliament.

While praising the Scottish government’s introduction of the Scottish Child Payment as a “positive step,” the charity also argues for it to be boosted over the next year from £28.20 per week per child to £40, effectively matching the increase already planned for children under the age of one from 2027-28.

Barnardo’s Scotland director Martin Crewe said: “Despite ambitious targets to reduce child poverty in Scotland to 10 per cent by 2030, far too many children, young people and families living in or on the edge of poverty across Scotland continue to struggle, unable to afford the basic things they need to live.

“As a result, financial support for children, young people and families has become ever more crucial to ensuring families can afford the essentials, providing them with choice, security and the resources to enable their children to thrive.”

Despite 22 per cent of children living in Scotland living in poverty — a third of them in “deep poverty” — Mr Crewe insisted that “meeting the child poverty targets is possible.”

Arguing it “will only be achieved if ambitious targets is met with ambitious actions,” he added: “That’s why we’re calling for ministers in the new parliament to be brave and bold for children.”