MCR Pathways calls on the Scottish Government to take resolute action in this upcoming Budget. 

Previous commitments and pledges must be upheld to truly invest and support young people across Scotland to find their pathway to a brighter future. Trusted adults, including volunteer mentors, have a crucial role to play in supporting both the economy and our communities in Scotland. Their contribution is essential in supporting young people, and must not be overlooked in this budget.

The eradication of child poverty must remain a top priority in this year’s budget. The scrapping of the two-child limit in the recent Autumn Budget has generated around £100 million to continue investing in the eradication of child poverty in Scotland (BBC News). This money must be invested into schemes and initiatives Scotland’s young people feel would help to break cycles of poverty including:

• Committing to further investment into uniform grants to increase availability to families, including those who may not qualify for social security.
• Increasing Revenue Grants that would enable Local Authorities and schools to invest in wraparound, accessible after-school clubs and extracurricular activities.
• Implementing an above-inflation increase of the Scottish Child Payment to at least £40 per week.

If the Scottish Government is committed to eradicating child poverty now and in the future, it must also reverse the underinvestment and decline of further and higher education in Scotland. The Scottish Government must prioritise investment to value its current and future workforce by committing to no further cuts and a real-terms, sustainable funding increase.

Investment will have a long-term positive impact on Scotland’s workforce and economy, but committing to sustainable funding for these institutions will also support in achieving the 2030 ‘Widening Access’ targets set by the Scottish Government. These targets will empower all of Scotland’s young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds such as the Care Experienced Community, to transition to the post-school destination that is right for them.

Furthermore, relational support and practice cannot end with school and must follow young people as they make these vital transitions. Therefore, MCR Pathways has identified and invested in mentoring partnerships with colleges in Scotland to meet young people wherever they may be and offer that essential 1:1 personalised support through a trusted adult volunteer mentor.

To achieve the Scottish Government’s ambition of making Scotland ‘the best place to grow up’, there must be a national commitment to radical investment in children and young people across all policies and directorates that shape their lives and futures. 

Central to this ambition is the role of a trusted adult. A trusted adult volunteer mentor has a vital part to play in addressing current budgetary gaps and in supporting young people to overcome the challenges associated with cycles of poverty. 

That is why MCR Pathways is calling on the Scottish Government to embed a Trusted Adult Guarantee, ensuring every young person has someone in their corner to spark potential, awaken ambition, and provide the confidence and guidance needed to break the cycle of poverty, alongside resolute action from the Government.

You can visit our Policy and Influencing Page to find out more about the work we do and how to engage with us: https://mcrpathways.org/policy-and-influencing/