Another generation of children could grow up in poverty in North Ayrshire unless the council gets more funding to tackle it.
COSLA has warned ringfenced funding from the Scottish Government was diverting council cash away from services, which could tackle deprivation causes among kids across the nation.
Nearly 27 per cent of children in North Ayrshire were in poverty during the year 2018 to 2019 after housing costs.
North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said the Scottish Government will miss its target to reduce child poverty unless it provides more money for councils.
The Labour politician said: “The Scottish Government appear to have recognised that council services are key to reducing child poverty and therefore they need to start providing fair funding for those services.
“A failure to do so won’t just result in missed targets in 2030, but will see the problem go in the wrong direction with more and more children living in poverty.”
He added: “COSLA’s warning strikes at the heart of why we need to stop cuts to council budgets.”
He continued: “If we want to see child poverty in North Ayrshire reduced, and I believe the vast majority of people do, then we have a shared interest in securing fair funding for councils.”
Local government body COSLA said council funding from the Scottish Government is down seven percent between 2013 to 2014 and 2019 to 2020.
COSLA resources spokeswoman Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “We risk allowing an entire generation of children to grow up in poverty, unable to realise their full potential.
“Homelessness, persistent unemployment and hunger are all potential social costs as a result of declining budgets.”
Boss of Scotland’s children’s charity Aberlour, Sally Ann Kelly said it is “imperative that “adequate funding” is given to local authorities to tackle problems early.
