SCOTLAND’S First Minister John Swinney has announced £5.8 million for child poverty groups ahead of a new strategy being launched on Thursday.

Drawn from the Scottish government’s £50m whole family wellbeing fund for the 2026-27, nearly £2m will go to Aberlour for its mother and child recovery homes, helping women tackling addiction issues without being separated from their children; while £1.88m has been earmarked for GPs supporting those in poverty.

Among other beneficiaries, Grow Your Own Routes, which helps young people affected by addiction in the family, will see £1.26m, and Foundations for Families, which supports young people at risk of “criminal exploitation,” will receive £320,000. 

Announcing the funding on a visit to Kilmarnock, Mr Swinney said: “Eradicating child poverty is my top priority and as a result of our bold action, child poverty rates are lower in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

“No child should have to worry about essentials such as food or a warm home because of circumstances beyond their control. 

“While child poverty has reduced, even one young person growing up in poverty is one too many.”