ONLY a quarter of Scots believe the Scottish government is doing enough to tackle child poverty, a poll has suggested.

The polling, for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity by the Diffley partnership, found 83 per cent agree reducing child poverty should be one of the government’s top priorities.

Some 26 per cent said they agree or strongly agree that ministers are doing enough to tackle the issue.

The JRF said a planned review of Scotland’s legally binding child poverty targets should not delay action on the issue.

It warned the current targets for reducing poverty are “extremely unlikely” to be met as not enough has been done since they were set in 2017.

JRF associate director for Scotland Chris Birt said: “The Scottish government hasn’t put bold enough policies in place and at scale fast enough, and the result is that targets meant to transform children’s lives are now extremely unlikely to be met.

“The existing targets have driven some positive action, not least the Scottish child payment, but it is time for both the Scottish government and Parliament to restate a bold vision of a Scotland where no child grows up in poverty.

“The public are expecting more action here, and it’s time for our politicians to catch up.

“Regardless of where the review of the targets lands, it cannot put children’s futures on hold and act as a pause on bolder government action.”

Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that “eradicating child poverty is our defining mission.”

She added that the Scottish government will review the types of targets it uses to make sure legislation accounts for all efforts across government in ending child poverty.