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| Child Poverty Action Group (Scotland) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Child Poverty Action Group (Scotland) |
| Formation | 1990s |
| Type | Charity |
| Purpose | Child welfare; social policy; poverty alleviation |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh |
| Region served | Scotland |
| Leader title | Director |
Child Poverty Action Group (Scotland)
Child Poverty Action Group (Scotland) is a Scottish charity and policy organisation focused on reducing child poverty and mitigating its effects across Scotland. It engages in policy analysis, public campaigning, research collaboration and direct support initiatives, working alongside devolved institutions, civic organisations and international bodies. The organisation operates within Scottish civic society and frequently interfaces with UK-wide institutions and cross-party actors.
The organisation emerged amid late 20th‑century debates on welfare reform involving figures associated with 1997 United Kingdom general election, John Smith (British politician), Tony Blair, New Labour and policy responses to child poverty influenced by reports such as those from Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Social Mobility Commission and Office for National Statistics. Early activity intersected with Scottish devolution debates including the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and subsequent legislation such as the Scotland Act 1998. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s the group responded to United Kingdom policy changes originating in Westminster—such as measures under Coalition government (United Kingdom) austerity and welfare reforms debated after the 2010 United Kingdom general election—while coordinating with Scottish Government initiatives. Major moments include collaboration during the implementation of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and engagement with devolved anti-poverty strategies associated with Ministers from parties including Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Conservative Party, Scottish National Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The organisation's stated mission aligns with principles promoted by advocates such as UNICEF, World Health Organization, Save the Children and End Child Poverty Coalition. Objectives emphasize securing adequate social security for families, promoting minimum income standards advanced by entities like the Living Wage Foundation and defending rights entrenched in instruments such as the European Convention on Human Rights and international commitments including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The group's objectives include influencing legislation in bodies such as the Scottish Parliament and engaging with UK-wide institutions including House of Commons committees and the House of Lords on fiscal measures that affect children.
Campaign activity has targeted specific policy levers and interacting stakeholders such as the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury, the Scottish Government, and local authorities like Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow City Council. Campaigns have addressed tax credits and benefits regimes influenced by laws such as the Tax Credits Act 2002, responses to sanctions regimes examined by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and protections for social security recipients considered by committees including the Work and Pensions Committee (House of Commons). The group has supported high‑profile public inquiries and coalitions alongside organisations such as Trussell Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Shelter (charity), Citizens Advice and trade unions including the GMB (trade union). Notable campaigns include efforts to extend the Living Wage and to influence social security uplift measures debated during crises such as the 2014 Scottish independence referendum aftermath and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research outputs often draw on data sources including the Office for National Statistics, Scottish Household Survey, Family Resources Survey and analyses by think tanks such as Resolution Foundation, Institute for Fiscal Studies and IPPR. Publications include policy briefings, technical reports and parliamentary briefings submitted to committees such as the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee and UK select committees. The group has co‑authored reports with academic partners from institutions like the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde and collaborations with international bodies such as OECD analysts. Topics have included child income poverty measures, child poverty targets influenced by legislation such as the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017, impacts of benefit changes analyzed against frameworks advanced by scholars associated with LSE and University College London.
In addition to policy work, the organisation has supported programs delivering advice, casework referrals and community outreach in partnership with agencies such as Citizens Advice Scotland, Children 1st, Action for Children, Family Action and food aid networks including The Trussell Trust. Services have included training for frontline staff employed by local authorities, third‑sector projects in areas such as Aberdeen, Dundee, Fife and rural Highlands, and information resources aimed at practitioners connected to professional bodies like Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
The group's advocacy strategy relies on alliances with parliamentary actors across party lines, third‑sector coalitions including End Child Poverty Coalition and research partnerships with universities and think tanks such as IPPR Scotland and Resolution Foundation. It has participated in cross‑sector campaigns with organisations such as Oxfam, Barnardo's and Save the Children and engaged with oversight and auditing institutions such as the Accounts Commission (Scotland) and Audit Scotland. International engagement has referenced frameworks promoted by UNICEF UK and comparative studies from European Union networks.
Funding historically comprises statutory grants, charitable donations, trust funding from foundations like Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, project funding from bodies such as the Big Lottery Fund and contractual work commissioned by public bodies including the Scottish Government. Governance follows UK charity law administered by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, with a board of trustees drawn from civic society, academia and the third sector. Senior leadership interacts with policymakers in institutions including the Scottish Parliament and UK Westminster to advance legislative and administrative reforms.
Category:Charities based in Scotland