Investment to help children in poverty

Scottish children living in poverty will be helped by a £24
million investment from the Scottish executive.

The new package of initiatives aims to encourage lone parents
into Scotland’s universities by making it easier for them to
meet childcare costs, a factor which often prevents many from
aiming for better incomes.

Between 6,500 and 8,500 lone parents will be helped by the
three-year scheme, starting from August this year.

Single parents will be given childcare grants of £1,000,
and £7.5 million will be given to further education colleges
throughout Scotland to widen childcare provision to meet locally
identified needs.

There are around 144,000 children living in poverty in Scotland
in one parent families, accounting for almost half of the
country’s most deprived people.

Jackie Baillie, minister for social justice, said: “Ending child
poverty is one of our key goals and this package is the gateway to
healthier and happier lives for some of the most disadvantaged
people in our communities.”