Was Swinney sincere in response to child poverty campaign?

The Herald Scotland

01-05-2025

The sincerity of politicians is always called into question when real life issues like child poverty are focused on.
For John Swinney, there was extra pressure. In taking up the office of First Minister almost a year ago, he made his central mission the eradication of child poverty.
At the outset of The Herald's series, we could not have foreseen how the Scottish Government would respond, particularly after the campaign element – calling for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased to £40 per week – was unveiled.
An open letter setting out this ask was sent to the First Minister on Tuesday evening, backed by 23 of the country's biggest anti-poverty charities or organisations.
Under 24 hours later, the First Minister had responded, committing to 'going further' in the effort to combat the devastating levels of child poverty in the country.
It cannot be understated how swift a response this was – and evidenced the First Minister wanted to engage on the issue.
Of course, the call to increase the Scottish Child Payment was not specifically addressed in Mr Swinney's letter but it is clear the door is open for a discussion.
I sat down with the First Minister in Bute House on Friday, hours before he made the trip to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis - a pontiff known for his work in helping the poor.
There, I saw the First Minister in a way I had never seen him before.
When we spoke of the hardship facing families in Scotland, he was visibly moved. I distinctly remember thinking that this was the reaction families wanted to see.
Politicians often offer buzzwords and soundbites to the media as a way to get around the difficult questions. The First Minister is no different. He is a skilled politician with decades of experience.
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And yet here he was, probably the sincerest I have ever seen him. The First Minister reflected on how his perception of poverty had changed over the years, from witnessing how it impacted his classmates, to meeting school children in his capacity as education secretary.
It can only be a positive to have a political leader willing to engage on the big issues.
But if his sincerity is to matter to the 23 charities that worked with The Herald to call for change, there must be action to follow it.
He has angered charities claiming any further increases from £27.15 per week, for each child, could remove the incentive for parents to work.
The Herald has also written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling for the two-child benefit cap to be abolished.
Sir Keir has not yet responded to the calls and Scotland minister Kirsty McNeill was unable to find the time to speak to us this week on the issue.
In his letter to The Herald, Mr Swinney said eradicating child poverty should be an effort across the political spectrum – and with a Holyrood election just a year away, it's time to see how sincere politicians are willing to be on this.