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Child Poverty Action Plan backed by committee

The city’s Child Poverty Action Plan was welcomed today by the council’s Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee.

The plan sets out actions for the next four years across services and promotes greater use of data, the adoption of good practice, and enhanced partnership working.

Actions include maximising the uptake of free school meals and school clothing grants, with a focus on lone parent families, ethnic minority families, families with a child under 1 year of age, and other priority groups. 

Committee convener Councillor Christian Allard said: “I am pleased to see the progress made with the development and adoption of the Child Poverty Action Plan for 2022-2026.

“As a council we remain committed to securing the best outcomes for children across our city and this action plan will support that aim, including making Aberdeen a child-friendly city.”

Committee vice-convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “We look forward to implementing the Child Poverty Action.

“The Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee wants to ensure that no child is missing out on educational opportunities due to their financial situation at home.” 

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 (the Act) was adopted in 2019 and describes steps required to be taken by the Scottish Government, local authorities and health boards to tackle child poverty.

As the plan is developed, longer term targets to be achieved by 2030 will be added.

The Child Poverty Action Plan will also be considered by the Community Planning Aberdeen Board next month.

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