9 April 2019

Children from the most deprived areas of Scotland are more than twice as likely to have concerns raised about their development, official figures reveal.

New data from ISD Scotland shows that 22 per cent of children from the most deprived areas had a concern raised about their development during their 27-30 month health review, compared to just 9 per cent from the least deprived communities.

The data also shows that concerns were most commonly recorded about children’s speech, language and communication (11% of children), and their emotional and behavioural development (5% of children).

Scottish Labour’s Monica Lennon MSP said:

"Nicola Sturgeon promised Scotland’s children the best start in life, but instead poverty is increasing and is harming the life chances of Scotland’s poorest children.

“These startling poverty-related health inequalities are failing children.

"Scottish Labour shares the Scottish Government’s aspiration for Scotland to be the best country to grow up so we are bitterly disappointed that the ambition is not backed up with investment in children and young people.

“The SNP government has failed to tackle poverty-related health inequalities after over a decade in power. In government, Scottish Labour will invest in our people, communities and public services to build a Scotland that works for the many, not just the few.”



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