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Publication - Research and analysis

Tackling child poverty - fourth year progress report 2021 to 2022: annex A - measurement framework

Published
29 June 2022
Directorate
Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Communities and third sector, Education, +6 more … Energy, Equality and rights, Housing, Money and tax, Transport, Work and skills
ISBN
9781804356876

Measurement framework with the latest data on the drivers of child poverty. The 23 indicators in the child poverty measurement framework are intended to monitor these drivers of poverty. They form part of a wider monitoring and evaluation strategy.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Driver: Debt

Indicator 15: Unmanageable debt

Percentage of households with children in unmanageable debt.[5]

Source: Wealth and Assets Survey
Percentage of households with children in unmanageable debt. Data for 2018-20, 8%

How this indicator relates to the child poverty targets:

  • Relative poverty
  • Absolute poverty
  • Low income + material deprivation √
  • Persistent poverty

Debt repayments are not deducted from income for the purposes of determining whether a household is in income poverty. They do, however, reduce the amount of disposable income that households with children have to spend on goods and services, and therefore increase their risk of material deprivation.

Indicator 16: Access to affordable credit

Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have used high cost credit in the past 12 months.[6]

Source: Scottish Household Survey. This question was not asked in the Scottish Household Survey 2020. As such, latest data continues to be for 2017-19.
Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have used high cost credit in the past 12 months. Data for 2017-19. 14% for both, low income households with children and all households with children.

How this indicator relates to the child poverty targets:

  • Relative poverty
  • Absolute poverty
  • Low income + material deprivation √
  • Persistent poverty

Access to affordable credit can protect against problem debt and material deprivation. It acts as a buffer against unexpected costs (e.g. replacing a broken washing machine) and fluctuations in income.

Indicator 17: No Savings

Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have no savings. Figures for all households with children are also provided for context.

Source: Scottish Household Survey. This question was not asked in the Scottish Household Survey 2020. As such, latest data continues to be for 2017-19.
Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have no savings. Figures for all households with children are also provided for context. Data for 2017-19. 66% all households with children, 34% all low income households with children.

How this indicator relates to the child poverty targets:

  • Relative poverty
  • Absolute poverty
  • Low income + material deprivation √
  • Persistent poverty

Savings protect against problem debt and material deprivation. They act as a buffer against unexpected costs (e.g. replacing a broken washing machine) and fluctuations in income.

Indicator 18: Internet Access

Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have home internet access. Figures for all households with children are also provided for context.

Source: Scottish Household Survey. Sample size for low income households with children is too small for 2020, and therefore presenting data up to 2019.
Percentage of low income households (bottom three income deciles) with children that have home internet access. Figures for all households with children are also provided for context. Data for 2018/19, 99% for all households with children, 96% for all low income households with children

How this indicator relates to the child poverty targets:

  • Relative poverty √
  • Absolute poverty √
  • Low income + material deprivation √
  • Persistent poverty √

Access to the internet allows opportunities to find lower-cost financial products and services, online banking, price comparison sites and online deals. Internet access and digital literacy also increase people's chances of accessing jobs and getting the benefits they are entitled to.

Contact

Email: tcpu@gov.scot

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