Thousands of children in Renfrewshire continue to live in poverty despite a decline in the latest figures. Data from Renfrewshire Council's local child poverty action report, approved at a leadership board meeting, shows that 3,900 children were living in relative low-income families after housing costs in 2024/25, representing a rate of 12.7 per cent. This marks a decrease of 337 children from the previous year and sits below the Scottish average of 14.8 per cent.
Councillor Highlights Persistent Crisis
Councillor Graeme Clark, Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, acknowledged the improvement but stressed the ongoing challenge. "I'm encouraged that the proportion of children living in relative low-income households, after housing costs, has fallen from 13.9 per cent to 12.7 per cent, although we have to be careful of trending figures, I know. However, let me be clear that still equates to 3,900 children growing up in poverty across Renfrewshire," he said.
Clark expressed particular concern about high rates in specific wards. In Renfrew South and Gallowhill, child poverty stands at 23.5 per cent, while Paisley Northwest records 18.8 per cent. "In some parts of Renfrewshire child poverty is not just a concern, it is a crisis. In Renfrew South and Gallowhill, nearly one in four children are living in poverty. In Paisley Northwest, it's clear that one in five children are living in poverty. These are not just statistics. They are people, children, families and I think across parties we have our concern for these children," he added.
Changing Nature of Poverty
Clark noted that poverty is no longer solely linked to unemployment. Across Scotland, approximately 75 per cent of children in poverty come from working families. He urged the council to maintain child poverty as a central priority.
SNP council leader Iain Nicolson, representing Erskine and Inchinnan, acknowledged the persistent issue. "It's been a long-standing issue in certain parts of Renfrewshire. It's one of those areas that, in my lifetime in local government, has been very stubborn in trying to eradicate it or reduce it to as minimal as possible," he said.
Council Measures to Combat Poverty
The local authority has implemented several initiatives to tackle poverty, including free school breakfasts in areas with high child poverty levels and funding for a mobile children's library. Council-funded advice services helped residents secure over £15 million in additional income in 2025/26 and manage nearly £4.6 million in debt. The Invest in Renfrewshire employability service provides tailored support to help residents gain employment.
Nicolson emphasised the council's focus on employability and skills development. "It's always been a key priority for this administration, and previous ones, to tackle household poverty. That's the main crux – employability, skills, development, entry into the workplace, it's all key in trying to reduce child poverty. There are a lot of components attached to that. I appreciate your comments about that as well and I appreciate the fact that there is a recognition that this council, and others, have had a fixed focus on that particular area within the resources and abilities that we have to deploy," he concluded.
