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xPoverty in 2025
Date: 20th October 2025
Category:
Child poverty
The 2025 edition of Poverty in Scotland puts a spotlight on one of the nation's most persistent challenges: child poverty. The report lays bare the depth and complexity of poverty affecting families across the country — and issues a powerful call to rebuild trust in politicians through meaningful action.
Key findings of the report include:
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Child Poverty Remains High: Nearly 1 in 4 children live in poverty, with significantly higher rates among "priority families."
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In-Work Poverty Worsens: 60% of people in poverty live in a working household. Among children in poverty, the figure rises to nearly 75%.
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Disability and Poverty Interlinked: Over half of children in poverty live in households with a disabled family member. Excluding disability benefits, the poverty rate among these households reaches 38%.
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Universal Credit Fails to Lift Families Out of Poverty: 42% of families receiving low-income benefits like UC remain trapped in poverty.
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Housing Costs Driving Hardship: 1 in 10 renters in Scotland are pushed into poverty due to unaffordable housing costs.
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Deep Poverty is Rising: Almost 1 in 10 people now live in “very deep poverty” — with income below 40% of the median.
While the report shows and highlights the issues faced, it also mentions that while there is still a lot of work to be done, there have been small improvements, such as the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment. While it is clear that there still is much to be done for a Scotland where every child can thrive, it does show that direct interventions such as the Child Payment can make a difference.
“With nearly a quarter of a million children still experiencing poverty in Scotland, there is no better place to start than building a better future for every child.”
Read the full report here.