Highlands & Islands MSP says children are being lifted out of poverty by Scottish Government’s progressive policies

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has praised the Scottish Government’s progressive approach to its benefit and taxation policies, saying low-income families in Scotland will now be better off as a direct result.

Speaking in the parliament chamber, Ms Roddick highlighted a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) which found that amongst the poorest 30% of households in Scotland, those with children will see their incomes boosted by £2,000 a year on average as a result of Scotland’s taxation and benefit policies.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison, welcomed the report’s findings, stating that they illustrated the positive impact that the government’s progressive choices are having for low-income families.

Commenting, Ms Roddick said:

“The IFS findings set out clearly how this SNP Government and its policies are working to deliver for the people of Scotland.

“Low-income families across the country will now be significantly better off as a direct result of this government’s fair and progressive approach to taxation and Scotland’s range of compassionate benefits, like the game-changing Scottish Child Payment which is unique in the UK, actively pulling children out of poverty and supporting families to get back on their feet.

“Here in Scotland, we are striving to be better: tackling poverty and inequality head on, despite limited powers and budget whilst tied to a Tory government down south, insistent on pushing its people further into hardship.

“With the full powers of independence, we could go so much further to fully protect our most vulnerable and thrive as a progressive nation.”

Notes:

• Institute for Fiscal Studies: Analysis of Scottish tax and benefit reforms