Child Poverty reduces in North Ayrshire
Levels of child poverty in North Ayrshire have fallen by almost five percent, according to a new report.
The End Child Poverty coalition, which is made up of more than 130 organisations including child welfare groups and social justice groups, released its most recent child poverty data for all UK local authorities earlier this week.
The report, titled Local Child Poverty Statistics 2025, shows encouraging signs for North Ayrshire.
The analysis shows the child poverty level (after housing costs) in North Ayrshire reduced from 29.2% in 2022-23 to 24.3% in 2023-24. This is against national averages of 24% and 23% respectively.
In 2022-23 North Ayrshire had the second-highest rate of child poverty in Scotland. However, the reduction of 4.9 percentage points within North Ayrshire is the largest of all Scottish councils over the year.
Quote: This reduction in levels of child poverty is very welcome news. However, the report shows that we have thousands of children whose lives are impacted by poverty, so we still have a lot of challenging work ahead of us. No child should be living in poverty – each and every one should have the same opportunities to thrive and do well in life. A lot of very important – and impactful - work goes on behind the scenes every day to try and make life better for our residents and families. I would like to thank all Council staff and our community partners for the tireless work they have put in up to this point. While we never want to see any child living in poverty, this report allows us to be cautiously optimistic that we are making a real difference and are moving in the right direction. We will strive to further improve everything from health and quality of life to employment opportunities and childcare availability as we continue to tackle child poverty and make it a thing of the past.
Quote from: Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council
You can read the council’s Child Poverty Action Plan here North Ayrshire Child Poverty Action Plan 2023 and can also see the full Local Child Poverty Statistics 2025 report from The End Child Poverty coalition.
The council’s Employability Service delivers a range of support through its Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire programme.
Contracted partners delivering Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire include We Work for Families and CEIS Ayrshire, who all contribute to delivering a wide range of support to help individuals prepare and progress into employment.
To access any of the opportunities delivered by Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire please email employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
You can also find out how Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire can help you with things like CVs, application forms, Modern Apprenticeships, paid work experience, interview techniques and secure employment. Follow the team on Facebook at “Working North Ayrshire”.
There is also helpful information about getting help with the cost of living on our website. You can find out more about various grants, council tax reduction, budgeting tips and health and well-being support that is available.
Published: 06 June 2025