Scotland can navigate the economic storm and get back on course to solve child poverty. But it will need to take further bold and compassionate actions. A thread on Poverty in Scotland 2020, from @jrf_uk and our lived experience advisory group (1) https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/poverty-scotland-2020

Before Covid, 1 million people were living in poverty. Scotland was treading water on child poverty - not on course to meet the country's ambitious targets within three years. Higher rates affect renters, lone parents, disabled people, BME groups and tenants (2)

Three sectors of the Scottish economy account for 4 in 10 people experiencing in-work poverty. Extending the real living wage and progression opportunities here would go a long way to springing this trap (3)

But working hours are a vital sign of what's going on for jobs. After lockdown, mean working hours fell sharply in Scotland and the rest of Britain. Low-paid workers were more likely to lose hours and pay - or lose their jobs. A recovery in working hours is essential (4)

The temporary higher rate of Universal Credit has created a lifeline stopping incomes falling further. UC claims have almost doubled in six months - rising most in areas with higher poverty rates going into the pandemic - while furlough rates are highest in rural areas

Lower mean housing costs and the boost in Local Housing Allowance have helped, but against the backdrop of private rents rising much faster than prices in the last decade in Lothian and Greater Glasgow. One in eight children in poverty (30,000) are only there due to housing (6)

1.3 million Scots will be protected if the UK social security lifeline is kept and extended to legacy benefits from April 2021. Combined with the first phase of the Scottish Child Payment, we estimate 25,000 fewer children will be in poverty if this happens. (7)

We can #ChallengePoverty in Scotland if we:
Expand job training and the Parental Employability Support Fund
Build 53,000 new affordable homes, 70% for social rent
Use local payment alternatives for children aged 6+ until the Scottish Child Payment can open fully (8)

Huge thanks to lived experience advisers + @jrf_uk expertise @HayDeborah @AndreaPhD @samdbennett @GemmaSchwendel @jrfAleks @StatsPeter @davidaleese @ErikaBe73974676 Hannah McCulloch, Martyn Hall, Jess Stephens @paulbrook76 Holly Leese and Content supremo Ann Crossley (9/9)

That's @MartynJamesHall @JessStep @HannahMcCulloc2 @DrEWincup who chaired our lived experience advisory group with skill and care plus Rachel Berry who kept us on track...and @Chris_Goulden who gave feedback as one of his final acts @jrf_uk