More children than ever before are living in poverty in the Southside

The ward, which includes Govanhill and Queen’s Park, has the second highest percentage of poverty across the city (49%).

And they are not alone. In the Southside, 42 per cent of children are in poverty in Pollokshields Ward, 36 per cent in Greater Pollok and 24 per cent in Langside.

The data, published by the End Child Poverty coalition, highlights how poverty is on the rise – and rising fastest in places where it is already highest.

Bailie Soryia Siddique, councillor for the Southside Central, said: “It is very concerning that 49 per cent of children live in poverty in Southside Central which is part of the First Minister’s constituency. The Scottish Government must take immediate action in income supplement and invest in affordable social housing.

“There is clear need for an adequately funded strategy to eradicate inequality and poverty as a matter of urgency to maximise life chances for the many.”

John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, a leading member of End Child Poverty in Scotland, said: “The stark figures outline the staggering levels of child poverty that many of our communities face.

“These aren’t just statistics. These are children going hungry, missing out on school trips, unable to enjoy the activities and opportunities their better off peers take for granted.

“These are parents going without meals, juggling debt and seeing their own health suffer to protect their children from the poverty they face. We cannot let this become the norm in our society.”

Glasgow City Council published a Child Poverty Action Report on April 16 this year.

A Council spokeswoman said: “The report outlines the wide range of positive action currently taking place in the city and plans for the future working in partnership to contribute towards reducing child poverty in the city.”