That the Parliament notes the investments outlined in the draft Scottish Budget for 2025-26 that focus on eradicating child poverty as a national mission and the single greatest priority for the Scottish Government, including continued investment in key policies such as funded early learning and childcare, concessionary travel for those under 22, employability services and social security; further notes increased investment in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and investment in breakfast clubs and to support the expansion of free school meals; recognises that the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle child poverty are being undermined by the social security policies of the UK Government; welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to spend £3 million to develop the systems to deliver the mitigation of the two-child cap in 2026; acknowledges analysis from the Child Poverty Action Group estimating that abolishing the two-child limit could lift 15,000 children in Scotland out of poverty; recognises that the measures in the draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 will help to drive progress towards this national mission, and calls on the UK Government to match the ambition of the Scottish Government and abolish the two-child limit and benefit cap at the earliest possible opportunity.
Supported by:
Jamie Hepburn, Paul McLennan, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kaukab Stewart
Result 72 for, 50 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote Vote Passed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Independent
Alba Party
No Party Affiliation
Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date lodged: Monday, January 6, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Result 20 for, 102 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Russell Findlay, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date lodged: Monday, January 6, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Result 30 for, 92 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote Vote Defeated
Submitted by: Maggie Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party, Date lodged: Monday, January 6, 2025
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Tuesday, January 7, 2025