It can’t be right that parents under the age of 25 receive a lower level of benefits just because of their age. It’s estimated that more than 50 per cent of children with a young mum are living in poverty.
And yet a cruel DWP rule means young couple parents are about £100 worse off a month, while single parents are penalised by £65 a month. The Scottish Government has already launched a benefit only paid north of the Border in an effort to reduce child poverty.
It’s a welcome step in the right direction but anti-poverty campaigners believe one policy alone can’t shift the dial on such a long-standing issue. More than 30 charities have now urged SNP and Green ministers at Holyrood to address the damage of the two-tier Universal Credit system by topping up the Scottish Child Payment.
Of course, the UK Government could do the right thing and make sure that Universal Credit is paid equally to parents of all ages. It’s another example of Tory ministers making life harder for those already struggling the most.
But campaigners are realistic and accept ministers at Holyrood are more likely to listen to their concerns. Reducing child poverty is in everyone’s interests as it’s the taxpayer who ultimately has to pick up the burden if people are denied opportunities in life.
Poverty is a strong indicator of whether someone will suffer from long-term ill health or unemployment. Every effort should be made to give all children a fair start.
Ring king farewell
Ken Buchanan sits at top table of Scottish sporting greats. Against the odds in the searing heat of Puerto Rico, he defeated Panama’s Ismael Laguna to win the WBA lightweight world title in 1970.
It was an achievement that saw him named Fighter of the Year by American boxing writers in a field that included Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. A year later, he became Scotland’s first undisputed world champion, unifying the lightweight division in style.
At his memorial service yesterday, stalwarts of the boxing community stood with hundreds of admirers on the streets of Edinburgh to pay their respects. The fine send-off was the least the great man deserved for thrilling legions of fans and doing Scotland proud all those years ago.
Rest in Peace, Champ.
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