| Figures from the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion revealed that poverty in Scotland is far from being reduced significantly towards the 2020 target set by the Scottish Government to eradicate child poverty.
Whitfield comes out as one of the worst places for children to receive enough food and clothing to keep them in a decent standard of living.
Kelly Rodger (28), the mother of two children who attend Claypotts Castle Primary School, said, “I do think mums find it difficult to get the money together for things, and the children do sometimes seem to lose out.
“The problem is that some mothers seem to spend their money on drink and drugs, and not on the right things.
“I’ve noticed children myself being too eager for their meal at school or if they’re at a mate’s house, and it makes me think they aren’t getting enough food at home.”
This opinion was backed up by mother of three Leanne Grieve (29), who finds it difficult finding enough money for basic items for her children, who attend Longhaugh Primary.
“I don’t get enough benefits to support myself and my three children,” said Leanne. “I’m not receiving any maintenance, and it’s really hard to ensure I have enough money set aside for all the different things that need paid, like food, clothing and bills.”
Mother of two Stacey Millar (28) was also willing to share her feelings on the subject of child poverty and how she was coping with financial constraints, especially since the credit crunch.
“Every day is a struggle to get enough money,” she said. “My boy comes home from school with ripped clothes and I need to think of how I’m going to get enough money saved up to replace them.
“There’s lots of peer pressure at his school, and I don’t want him to go without what he needs.
“I have £66 a week to live on and budget the weekly outgoings for food and clothes for my children as well as pay bills like electric and Council Tax.
“I worry I won’t be able to keep the balance right and that bills could catch up with me and I’ll end up evicted,” she said. “I’ve got to replace anything that gets damaged and I’m having to budget for that, too.”
Another mum, Pamela Downie (33), said her child suffers from ADHD. She has to take him from Longhaugh Primary School every day at lunchtime, and he loses out on the free meal the school could provide him with, adding to her financial hardship.
However, Julie Cordiner (32) said, “I’ve not noticed mothers struggling really. People seem to have enough money to feed and clothe their children. Certainly at my children’s school they seem to mix with kids who have what they need.” |
