AROUND 240,000 children live in relative poverty in Scotland and sadly this unacceptable number has remained fairly static since 2007.
Last week I attended a campaign event at the Scottish Parliament to call upon MSPs to make transformational changes to the way public debt is collected to help end child poverty. It was well received by elected members from across all political parties.
Aberlour Children’s Charity joined with Glasgow’s Govan Law Centre to press MSPs to support a transformational law reform bill that would include radical initiatives to change the way Scottish public bodies collect debt to ensure children are not trapped in, or pushed into, poverty.
Low-income families are facing a growing debt crisis, with public debts such as council tax arrears, rent, and school meal debts trapping them in an unbreakable cycle of poverty.
Aberlour’s research and frontline experience found that 75% of the total debt supported by their Tayside Hardship Fund was to pay off debts owed to public bodies.
We know that the biggest source of public debt is council tax and water and sewerage arrears – although such taxes are paid at a 93 to 98% success rate.
Campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government to take immediate action to reform current public debt recovery processes, which often punish rather than support struggling families.
Amongst the measures, the charities are advocating for permanent support to parents in school meal debt, as well as a unified, compassionate approach to debt management that prioritises the well-being of families and children over punitive collection practices.
The charities contend the Scottish Government must change course from the current public debt collection approaches to ones that actively support families in overcoming financial hardship.
Positive government intervention is necessary not only to reduce the financial strain on families but to improve mental health, strengthen family wellbeing and prevent issues such as homelessness and the potential loss of children to care systems.
SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity said: “Public debt is a key factor in entrenching and increasing child poverty and those burdened by debt need support, not punishment”.
“Public bodies, including governments, should help people escape debt rather than trapping them in unsustainable and unmanageable financial situations. Positive government interventions to reduce debts not only alleviate financial strain but also enhance physical and mental well-being, strengthen family bonds, and foster inclusivity for children with disabilities”.
Examples of things that could be done at minimal cost include the introduction of pre-action requirements before summary warrants are granted.
This could trigger a requirement on councils to notify someone where they can obtain free, independent advice before applying for a summary warrant by amending section 247 of the 1947 Local Government (Scotland) Act.
Writing off school meal debt for those who can never genuinely afford to pay makes economic and ethical sense.
We need a code of practice for public debt recovery which sets out key principles and operational rules for debt recovery by public bodies in Scotland to create a fair, proportionate and consistent approach across the country.
The Scottish government and parliament must urgently address the policies that lead to public debt and reform current debt recovery practices to be more humane, compassionate, and sustainable. It’s a no-brainer not to act.
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