ABOUT 131,000 children in Scotland languish in poverty because their parents face barriers to earning more, a charity has found.

The study led by Action for Children has identified multiple barriers to work or increasing income and challenges the often repeated line from Westminster that the best way to prevent child poverty “is to ensure they do not grow up in a workless household.”

The charity confirmed that hurdles such as long-term sickness, disabilities and caring responsibilities can either prevent parents from taking paid work, or severely limit the hours and types of employment they can take on, with huge consequences for household income.