Edinburgh Labour MP Ian Murray condemns 'shameful' crisis as research reveals nearly 15,000 children in city living in poverty

The UK and Scottish governments have been accused of presiding over a “shameful” poverty crisis after new research revealed nearly 15,000 children are living in poverty in Edinburgh.

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Analysis published by the End Child Poverty Coalition exposed a sharp rise in child poverty in Britain in the last five years, with over 400,000 more children living in poverty after housing costs than in 2015.

Child poverty was rising sharply even before Covid-19, but the pandemic is thought to have exacerbated the situation even further.

Ian Murray says crisis is "shameful". Picture: John Devlin

In Edinburgh a total of 14,763 children were living in poverty in 2019/20, according to the new figures – a 12.3 per cent increase since 2014/15.

In some parts of the city, nearly a quarter of children were living in poverty.

Edinburgh South Labour MP Ian Murray said: “These figures are shocking and heart breaking.

“Both the Tory and SNP governments have presided over a staggering increase in child poverty, and ministers should hang their heads in shame.

“Boris Johnson’s record is one of rising poverty, soaring food bank use and a widening attainment gap, while the SNP is so distracted by its obsession with independence it has taken its eye off the ball when it comes to tackling poverty.

“Edinburgh’s poorest children are being failed by two governments playing the blame game.

“We now need a revision of Scotland’s child poverty strategy in the coming parliament to recognise the steep rise in child poverty.

“Labour will always make tackling child poverty a top priority, and work to ensure that our country is the best possible place to grow up in for all children.”

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