ONE in five children in the Borders are deemed to be living in poverty, according to a new report.

Children in low income families has risen from 19.5 per cent in 2021/22 to 19.7 per cent in 2022/23.

Whilst the figure is below the average for Scotland (21.3 per cent), it is “still concerning that one in five of our children are living this way”, states a Child Poverty Report to be presented to councillors this week.

The report also outlines the variance between the statistics, dependent on where you live in the Borders.

For example, Hawick and Denholm has the highest levels of deprivation at 29.7 per cent.

That compares to the least deprived area – Tweeddale East – at 11 per cent.

Other ward deprivation levels are:

  • Selkirkshire (23.2 per cent)
  • Galashiels & District (22.9 per cent)
  • East Berwickshire (22.4 per cent)
  • Jedburgh & District (21.4 per cent)
  • Hawick & Hermitage (19.8 per cent)
  • Kelso & District (19.4 per cent)
  • Mid-Berwickshire (16.9 per cent)
  • Tweeddale West (11 per cent)

In 2023, the median gross weekly pay for full time workers in the Scottish Borders (workplace based) was £652, which is £51 less than the £703 for full-time workers elsewhere in Scotland.

The report, to be presented to members of Scottish Borders Council’s Community Strategy Planning Board on Thursday also shows the number and proportion of households in the Borders receiving Universal Credit compared to Scotland.

Overall, the Borders has a lower proportion of households receiving UC (13.8 per cent) compared to 17.1 per cent for Scotland.

In the Borders there were 3,233 households claiming the ‘Child Entitlement’ or 5.8 per cent compared to 6.9 per cent for Scotland.

The report also outlines the action being taken to address the issues, including providing help with fuel debt, providing childcare, expanding cost of travel options for families and offering benefits advice.

The Cyrenians Group continue to provide food larders and cooking clubs across the region.

Housing tenants are also supported with energy debt, given money advice and budgeting tips.

Meanwhile, summer holiday programmes provided by a range of partners such as ‘Get into Summer’ with Live Borders offer a variety of different activities, including sports, culture, arts, cooking lessons, and often supply food to families to take home.