Glasgow City Council has secured £1 million in funding to support a new positive outreach programme aimed at tackling child and family poverty across the city.
Using household‑level data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the council has identified 13,117 families with 24,727 children in Glasgow currently classed as living in poverty.
The data will enable the council to take a more targeted, preventative approach. As part of the Child Poverty Programme, the council will initially make direct contact with 3,000 families with children aged 0 to 5, offering early support at a critical stage in family life.
By proactively engaging with families, the council and its third‑sector partners aim to gain a clearer understanding of individual circumstances and respond with tailored support, rather than waiting for families to seek help themselves.
Funding supports council and third sector delivery
To deliver the outreach programme, the Scottish Government has allocated £650,000 to the Glasgow Helps team. A further £350,000 has been awarded to the Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS), which will work with third‑sector partners to expand the range of services available to families.
Early activity is already underway in Drumchapel, where 100 families have received letters offering support and signposting to help.
The new programme builds on Glasgow City Council’s previous use of DWP data to tackle child poverty, including the Understanding Child Poverty report and the city’s Child Poverty dashboard, which have helped shape policy and service design.
Political backing for data‑led approach
The funding and associated recommendations received cross‑party support at the City Administration Committee, reflecting broad backing for the council’s data‑driven approach to tackling poverty.
Councillor Ricky Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council, City Treasurer and City Convener for Financial Inclusion, said:
"Glasgow has been at the forefront of identifying system barriers that limit how public services can address child poverty. This data-sharing agreement has helped to break down those barriers by creating a direct link to families who are eligible.
"I cannot praise this groundbreaking scheme enough. It is a fantastic opportunity to reach some families who do not already engage with us.
"Tackling poverty is the responsibility of not just the council, but our third sector partners as well, and together we can make a difference in delivering support to families in need."
The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening early intervention, improving access to support, and ensuring public and third‑sector services reach families who may otherwise be missed.
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