PARTIES must put cutting child poverty “front and centre of their manifestos” at the Holyrood elections, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

The anti-poverty charity’s associate director for Scotland, Chris Birt, made the plea as they published a report showing 20 per cent of people in Scotland were living in poverty in 2023-24.

While the figure is lower than the 22 per cent figure for England and Wales, Mr Birt said: “We do see decisions being taken in Scotland such as the Scottish Child Payment appearing to be making an impact, which is welcome, but we must aspire to more.

“With just 100 days until the Holyrood election the clock is ticking for Scotland’s politicians to commit to bold and radical action, which is urgently needed to tackle poverty head-on.

“All parties must put reducing child poverty front and centre of their manifestos and seize the opportunity to improve the lives of all Scotland’s children.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is this government’s driving mission and that’s why the draft Scottish Budget places tackling child poverty front and centre.”