Scotland’s poverty crisis will make or break Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf’s election as SNP leader and his inevitable ascent to the office of First Minister is history in the making.

He will be the first Muslim to lead Scotland and will also be the first person of colour to be take charge of the Government. But we want him to go further and become the first minister who helps make poverty history north of the border.

Scotland is divided on so many levels – young and old, Yes and No, Remain and Leave – but the scar of poverty is the most keenly felt. Damning figures from last week showed child poverty stands at 24 per cent, up from when Nicola Sturgeon took over as first minister.

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The pandemic can partly be blamed for the rise but it is clear that poverty levels have hardly budged since the SNP came to power in 2007. The party has always claimed it wanted to create a more equal Scotland where every child has the same chance to succeed.

While poverty levels remain at the current sickening level, one in four of our children will struggle to be properly fed, clothed and sheltered. And in those circumstances, it is impossible for young people to reach their full potential.

Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, after it was announced Humza Yousaf is the new Scottish National Party leader, and will become the next First Minister of Scotland. (Image: PA)

Yousaf’s priority in government must be greater equality for Scots by slashing the poverty levels that blight our country. This means increasing the Scottish Child Payment and listening to anti-poverty groups about other solutions.

It means funding councils properly and considering how the council tax can be abolished or reformed to get more money into front line services. As we revealed yesterday, Yousaf is considering wealth taxes as a way of raising extra funds to reduce poverty.

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This includes taking a share of profits from renewable energy projects and looking at a land value tax. Higher income taxes for the wealthy are also on the table.

This should be welcomed across the political divide as too much wealth is held by too few people in Scotland. Yousaf’s victory address was notable for the reference to the late Labour leader John Smith, widely respected and known for his sense of social justice.

Humza Yousaf speaking at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Image: PA)

It was clearly a nod to Labour voters who are keen for the Scottish Government, of whatever stripe, to pursue policies that help the vulnerable. With Scots getting clobbered on so many fronts, we need a first minister to lead from the front on a redistributive agenda that puts the poor first.

It is also long overdue that all centre-left parties, regardless of views on independence, work together where they can. Holyrood has been drifting for too long and new leadership is required to provide a reset and new sense of mission.

A Yousaf government should aim to be a progressive beacon that backs up rhetoric with action and delivery.

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