Scots in poverty

Working poverty in Scotland is at its highest level since devolution. In-work poverty refers to those living in households where at least one member of the household is working, either full or part-time, but where the household income is below the relative poverty threshold.

Since 1998/99 the number of people living in poverty in a household where at least one adult works has increased from about 440,000 to around 610,000.

The proportion of people in poverty in working households stands at 58% for 2015/16, up from 39% in 1998/99 and up from 43% in 2006/07

A total of 420,000 working-age adults were in in-work poverty after housing costs in 2015/16, compared with 280,000 in 1998/99, while the figure for children increased from 150,000 to 180,000.

From today (Thursday, April 6) child tax credit - which is worth up to £2780 per child per year - will only be paid for the first two children in any family. If your children were born prior to this date, credits for three or more are still applicable. But if you have a third child tomorrow or thereafter they will not qualify.

The government is also removing the family element - which is a payment of £545 for a new-born first child. Parents of children born before Thursday will still get this.