CURRENT PRESS RELEASES AND MEDIA STATEMENTS from Children in Scotland (June 2013)

For further information on press release and media statements issued, or for general media enquiries, please contact Jennifer Drummond, Press and Communications Officer - jdrummond@childreninscotland.org.uk / 0131 222 2419

NOTE: Additional or alternative contacts can be found at the foot of individual releases, where appropriate.

For releases older than 4 weeks, please follow the 'previous releases' link on the left hand side.

 

COMMENT

Thursday 13 June

School reform: Government must consult with children and young people, say Children in Scotland

 

The Scottish Government have now officially published their response to the report of the Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education, accepting all but one of the recommendations. In their response, however, the Scottish Government have failed to lay out plans on how to further consult with children and young people.

In response, Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland has said:

“We are pleased that the Scottish Government has recognized that the legislation on consulting with children and young people needs to be reviewed and refers to our work "Participants now Pawns". However, an opportunity has been lost to engage with children and young people living in rural areas to hear their views. We urge the Cabinet Secretary to put this right. It is a crucial element in moving forward constructively”

 

Education Secretary Michael Russell delivered an official statement to Parliament outlining the Scottish Government’s response, on Thursday 13 June.

//ENDS

Further information:-

 

• The Scottish Government’s response to the report can be found in full on the Scottish Government’s website - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/06/6087/2

 

• ‘Participants, not pawns consulting with children and young people on school closures’, offering guidance for local authorities on pupil consultations under the Schools (Consultation) Act 2010, was produced by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, with the assistance of Children in Scotland. http://www.childreninscotland.org.uk/docs/Participantsnotpawnsguidance20100315_000.pdf

 

 

COMMENT

Thursday 13 June

Child Poverty: We have seen stagnation, not success, warns children’s charity

 

Today, Scotland’s Chief Statistician published the Poverty and Income inequality figures for Scotland in the year 2011/12.

Commenting on the publication, Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland said:

“ The figures published today indicate the number of children living in absolute and relative poverty in Scotland has remained stagnant, essentially flatlining since 2010. In addition, the figures do not fully represent the complexity of the issue and the stark realities facing families whose household incomes have fallen – or will fall – as a result of welfare benefit reductions now underway, local authority cuts and wage stagnation, or reduction”

 

“We urge Governments, both sides of the border, to continue working towards the goal of eradicating child poverty, considering how to mitigate the worst effects of economic and political change, on our most vulnerable families.”

It has been estimated 1 in 5 children in Scotland live in poverty, and as many as 50,000 children are at risk of being pushed into

poverty in Scotland by 2020.

 

//ENDS

 

Further information:

• Poverty and Income Inequality Scotland 2011/12 [Statistics] - is available online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/01048