Child Poverty Speeches from event with First Minister in Bute House: 21st April

On Easter Monday, 21st April, eight parents from Changing Realities delivered powerful speeches at Bute House in Edinburgh, during an in-depth discussion with Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney.

The event, opened and closed by a parent speaker, focused on the realities of living on a low income and the urgent need to tackle child poverty in Scotland. Seven parents shared their lived experiences, highlighting key priorities for policy change:

Strengthening the Scottish Child Payment – by raising rates, extending eligibility to 16–18-year-olds, and including children currently excluded due to No Recourse to Public Funds.

Improving childcare provision – including covering 100% of costs for low-income families, expanding wrap-around care, and enhancing support for children with additional needs.

Embedding lived experience in policymaking – through the active and ongoing inclusion of people with direct experience of poverty in shaping decisions.

This discussion builds on a broader conversation around child poverty in Scotland and the wider UK, which participants regularly explore through Changing Realities’ Big Questions, public diary entries, and online meetings.

We are deeply grateful to all participants for their time, courage, and energy in making this event a success, and to the First Minister for his warm welcome and engagement. As he noted:

“I am grateful for the work of Changing Realities, and for the opportunity to meet with parents to discuss what is working, and what needs to change to support families.”