in that regard.

Thank you.

That concludes general questions.

The next item of business is First Minister's questions.

At question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you, Mr.

Yesterday, John Swinney said eradicating child poverty would be the top priority of his government.

But since his statement, we have heard this. Fiona King from Save the Children

said, and I quote, there is nothing in this programme for government that truly shifts the

dial on child poverty. Dr Lindsay MacDonald of Magic Breakfast said, far from a manifesto

on the eradication of child poverty, this plan will struggle

to make a significant dent in the child poverty crisis that Scotland faces.

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, said the charity was deeply concerned that

the drastic cuts to public spending will throw many children and families already in crisis

over the edge.

So who is right, John Swinney or the growing list of experts who say his programme will fail to

tackle child poverty?

First Minister. I recognise the enormity of the challenge that we face on child poverty.

It is the central mission of my government to eradicate child poverty.

The reason why child poverty is so high is because Scotland has suffered from 14 years of conservative austerity and welfare

cuts which have forced families into poverty. That has resulted in the Scottish Government

taking steps to spend over £400 million on measures such as the Scottish Child Payment, which along with

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