More than 3,500 children are living in poverty across West Dunbartonshire, according to a new report.
The End Child Poverty statistics reveal almost one-quarter of children are living below the breadline, though the figure has reduced by 15 percent.
A total of 3,685 children were in poverty in 2020/21 – compared to 4,189 a year earlier.
Joseph Howes, chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the additional £20 support from the government during the Covid crisis appears to have affected the figures positively in most areas.
He said: “This shows that change is possible. These levels of child poverty do not have to be the norm.
“There will always be conflicting government priorities, but surely the wellbeing of the most vulnerable children in our society should be front and centre, particularly as we go through the most severe period of price rises for 40 years.”
However, he raised fears that the numbers will rise sharply due to families facing a huge cost of living increases.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie welcomed the decline but said the figure was still “appalling”.
She said: “While any decline in the number of children living in poverty is welcome, to have more than 3500 children locally still living in poverty is appalling.
“This report also suggests that the situation will get worse during the cost of living crisis.
“I have heard directly from foodbanks struggling to keep up with demand and receive regular enquiries from constituents genuinely worried about how they can feed their families.
“The situation is desperate and rising energy costs, food prices and household bills will exacerbate the problem, particularly during the colder months.
“The SNP Scottish Government and the Tory UK Government cannot bury their heads in the sand any longer and need to do far more to help people with their everyday costs.
“These two out-of-touch governments are shamefully focused on other matters while people right here in West Dunbartonshire are worrying about where their next meal will come from.”
The research covers the period to 2020/21 and provides estimates of child poverty after housing costs have been taken into account.
Child poverty is assessed within the report, by Loughborough University, as those living in households with below 60 per cent median income before housing costs.
Across Scotland, more than 200,000 children were believed to be living in poverty in 2020/21 - making up 21 percent of the eligible population.
In West Dunbartonshire, the proportion was higher than the national average at 23 percent.
The region’s MSP Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said: “Many families are struggling just now, but these figures showing a reduction in West Dunbartonshire’s child poverty rates are welcome.
“The SNP Scottish Government is determined to lift children out of poverty, and has implemented ambitious policies including doubling the Scottish Child Payment, expanding free school meals, and delivering an increase in funded early learning and childcare.
“Progress is being made. However, too many families and children are still having to rely on foodbanks due to callous decisions imposed by the Westminster government - such as the £1,040 cut to Universal Credit.
“Scotland would be better placed to tackle child poverty with the full welfare and tax powers of a normal independent country.
