'LAST week we had figures published by the Scottish Government that showed the number of children living in poverty in Scotland has risen by 40,000 since last year, up to 260,000.

This is a shocking statistic that needs to be addressed by direct action in Scotland from the Government in Edinburgh and a change in austerity policy from the Government in Westminster.

Failed Tory austerity does not just create poverty it actually has run up the largest debts in decades as borrowing has gone up not down as they said it would. The cuts also result in a failure to invest in the economy so we have slower growth and a rise in insecure work and low pay, all of which in turn is bad for the economy and creates poverty.

In Parliament last week I put forward a number of alternative actions that we can consider to tackle the worst elements of child poverty. The Child Poverty Action Group have costed a proposal to raise child benefit by £5 a week that would lift 33,000 children out of poverty and I also suggested targeting the funds at those most in need through child tax credits or free school meals which would have an even greater impact on the poorest families. The Scotland Act 2016 brought significant powers over social security to the Scottish Parliament including the ability to introduce top up powers over benefits hence we can now do this in Scotland with a clear objective of tackling child poverty.

Governments as well as creating poverty have the power to tackle poverty as evidenced by the last Labour Government which through their actions lifted over £1 million children out of poverty. It is therefore heart breaking that we are now going back the way but is clear proof that poverty does not happen by accident, it is the result of choices.

I had the great pleasure this week of attending the exhibition at Kelty Community Centre of mining heritage put on by the Kelty Mining Heritage Group and would want to thank everyone involved in this great community event.

Whilst life was undoubtedly hard in the mining communities the evidence shows there was great solidarity and unity. In 2017 we must strive to achieve full and fulfilling employment for everyone in every community, so must invest in education, training and skills matched to local and regional economies'.