TARGETED action is needed to tackle “pockets of real deprivation” in East Renfrewshire, health bosses have said — as figures show over 200 more children are living in poverty.

While child poverty in East Renfrewshire remains the lowest in Scotland, the level has increased from 12.8% to 14.4% — 3,064 children in 20/21 to 3,288 in 21/22.

The figures were reported in an annual local child poverty action report for 2022/23, which stated the “impact of covid and the ongoing cost of living crisis are likely to be contributing factors”.

It added the highest rates of child poverty are in parts of Barrhead, Neilston, Mearns and Thornliebank.  Data showed around half of the children living in poverty are in lone-parent households. Two-thirds have at least one working adult in the household.

The poverty report was presented to East Renfrewshire’s full council and a meeting of the Integration Joint Board — a partnership between the council and NHS — last week.

Julie Murray, chief officer at East Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), said while the local authority area has “proportionally fewer children and young people living in poverty” and families are “more likely to have higher earnings”, there are “some pockets of real deprivation”.

“One of the things we want to go on to do is a bit more of a deep dive and more of a targeted look at the families in areas of deprivation,” she added. “We know the areas where there is sustained poverty and we need to take a bit more of a targeted approach.”

Council leader Owen O’Donnell, Labour, said the rise is “disappointing” and work needs to be done to “understand that better”. The wider economic situation is “clearly having an impact”, he said.

At a full council meeting, he added: “The good news is that East Renfrewshire has amongst the lowest child poverty rates in mainland Scotland if not the lowest. However, this isn’t about percentages, it’s about individual child experiences.

“It is a cause of concern and remains a key focus for the council, HSCP and community planning partners. These are real people that are being impacted by this.  “While year-on-year data needs to be treated with caution, it is somewhat hopeful that East Renfrewshire’s estimated increase is lower than the Scotland level increase.”

He also said the rise was “well below the increase of 1,000 additional local children falling into poverty” — a figure that was reported when the council launched a cost of living support package last year.

Figures showed child poverty was estimated to be at 15% in 2014/15 and Cllr O’Donnell said it has “hardly moved”. He said support needed to be “data-based and people-centric”, with plans in place for individuals.

Work to support families in poverty over the past year has included encouraging 11 more local businesses into signing up as Real Living Wage employers and supporting parents in finding jobs or increasing their income.

Benefits advice has also been provided with support teams embedded in three primary schools, helping to reach over 270 families and achieving more than £21,000 in financial gains.

Other schemes included the council’s ‘warm and welcome’ spaces over winter, where 46 buildings were open for people looking to keep warm. Over 3,500 people visited spaces.

Future action will examine new and existing data to “gain a better understanding of poverty in East Renfrewshire; including those who are experiencing generational poverty and those who are facing poverty due to the ongoing impacts of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis”.

It is expected to focus on “lone-parent households and larger families”. According to the report, actions will include encouraging more firms to pay a Real Living Wage, supporting parents to remain in work, train and progress and improving access to benefits.

They also aim to reduce energy costs for vulnerable families, cut the cost of school attendance and participation and help people find affordable housing options.