One in four children in West Dunbartonshire were living in poverty last year, according to new statistics. 

Recent figures published by the UK Government show that 2,548 (16.2 per cent) children (under the age of 16) were living in poverty in the local authority in 2015.

This number has since grown to 3,883 (25.5 per cent) in 2022, an increase of nearly ten per cent.

Over a period of five years - between 2015 and 2020 – this figure has increased year-on-year apart from a slight decrease in 2019.

West Dunbartonshire recorded higher levels of child poverty than neighbouring Argyll and Bute, which reported a rate of 17.8 per cent (2,218 young people) last year.

However, the region recorded a rate nearly ten times less than Glasgow City where over 30,000 (31,779) children were reported to be living in poverty last year, a rate of 31.8 per cent.

Taking a closer look at the figures reveals that Kilpatrick has the highest levels of child poverty among the region’s council wards at a rate of 30.2 per cent.

Whereas Dumbarton recorded the lowest levels at 19.1 per cent.

Number of children living in poverty in West Dunbartonshire:

Figures broken down by council ward:

David McBride, councillor for Dumbarton, told the Reporter that these numbers show “no real progress has been made”.

Councillor McBride said: “I was really disappointed to see the recent child poverty statistics for West Dunbartonshire showing that no real progress has been made.

“No level of child poverty is acceptable, this is absolutely shocking. Tackling poverty is a UK and Scottish Government responsibility but neither of our governments are doing enough.

“The council is a key partner and produces an annual Child Poverty Action Plan for the area”.

Across the UK the number of children living in poverty also increased from 2.38 million in 2021 to 2.47 million last year.

Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire’s MP, said that “real change” can only be delivered on this issue through Scottish independence.

Mr Docherty-Hughes added: “The rise in child poverty across Britain underlines the devastating impact of a decade of cuts and austerity imposed by the UK Government.

“In Scotland, the SNP government is determined to lift children out of poverty – leading the way by introducing progressive policies like the Scottish Child Payment.

“However, clearly efforts to tackle poverty in Scotland will continue to be undermined by the callous actions of Westminster governments.

“It’s only with the full powers of independence that we can deliver the real change Scotland needs.”

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton's MSP, slammed the figures as "inexcusable".

She said: “It is inexcusable that West Dunbartonshire has seen such a significant increase in child poverty.

“These figures from the UK Government are stark and behind them are families who are struggling on a daily basis.

“A single person in poverty is one too many and a single day spent in poverty is a day too many – yet both the SNP and the Tories are taking little action to turn around these fortunes.

“It’s clear both of our governments have failed miserably to protect people from the cost of living crisis, squandering the legacy of the last Labour government.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise too many people are living in poverty which is why we are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in Scotland within the scope of our powers and budget.

“We call on the UK Government to urgently review reserved benefits, including Universal Credit as they are fundamentally not fit for purpose.

“We are already providing significant funding to help bridge the gap between what people need in benefits from the UK Government and what they actually receive.

"Eligible households could be £2,500 better off on average per year as a result of our action.

“As part of the national mission to tackle child poverty, the Scottish Child Payment, a benefit only available in Scotland, was increased in November to £25 per week and extended to eligible children up to the age of 15 - an increase of 150% in less than eight months.

"The Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts around 387,000 children will be eligible in 2023/24 and based on modelling from March 22 it is estimated to lift 50,000 children out of poverty.

“We will also spend up to £84 million in 2023-24 on Discretionary Housing Payments to mitigate not only the UK Government’s bedroom tax and the ongoing freeze to Local Housing Allowance rates, but now also the benefit cap which is pushing families into hardship.”