I raised the importance of Scotland's child poverty targets in Parliament today - they drive real delivery. I also called on the Scottish and UK Governments to work together constructively to make tackling child poverty a common cause across Scotland

Full quesion and answer below:

Bob Doris (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP)
I acknowledge the Scottish Government’s ambitious targets to reduce child poverty and the progress that has been made. I have heard that there will be a review of those targets, so it would be helpful to know whether the cabinet secretary believes that the targets have driven delivery in tackling child poverty. Targets can be blown off course by the actions of others, including the UK Government. Perhaps the cabinet secretary can say a little more about that.

Despite what I have said, how can the Scottish Government seek to work constructively with the UK Government to make tackling child poverty in Scotland a common cause?

Shirley-Anne Somerville
The targets have been an exceptionally important part of the Government’s work since the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 was passed. They have driven focus and delivery, and have been an exceptionally important part of our armoury as we move forward with tackling child poverty in Scotland. We are seeing that difference being made.

Mr Doris is right to point to the fact that we are not the only actor in this situation, and the impact of the UK Government can be extremely detrimental. For example, I mentioned the local housing allowance freeze and the continuation of the benefit cap.

I was disappointed by the lack of genuine work as the UK Government delivered its child poverty strategy on a four-nations basis. I hope that we can do better in this parliamentary session and that we can meet soon to discuss that on a four-nations basis. I also note the interesting policy proposals in the area that are coming from the new Welsh Government, and I look forward to working with my Plaid Cymru colleagues on the child poverty agenda.