John Swinney's inaugural Programme for Government will be unveiled later where eradicating child poverty will be its "single greatest priority."

Ahead of setting out its spending plans for the next 12 months, the first minster believes the Scottish government can still "enhance the lives of children and their families."

The pledge follows the £500million of spending cuts set out yesterday by Mr Swinney's finance secretary Shona Robison. During her statement, Ms Robison told the Scottish Parliament the country was facing "enormous and growing" financial pressure.

Latest figures show that 26% of children are living in relative poverty in Scotland, but reducing these numbers was one of Mr Swinney's key pledges when he became leader of the SNP.

However, campaigners have said the "scale and price" of the action to lift young people out of poverty has "not been nearly enough."

Despite facing increased financial pressure, Mr Swinney said he would double down in order to meet the goal of reducing child poverty rate to 10% by 2031.

Mr Swinney said: “Even as we face unprecedented budgetary constraints, I am optimistic that we can still greatly enhance the lives of children and their families."

“No one's opportunities should be determined by the circumstances they are born into, which is why this year's Programme for Government will prioritise measures focused on our single greatest priority of eradicating child poverty.

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