MORE than half of people in Scotland back more financial support and debt relief for the nation’s poorest, according to a new study.

A survey by market research agency nfpResearch commissioned by children’s charity Aberlour found that 56 per cent of respondents backed more action to combat the poverty that blights the lives of one in four young people in Scotland.

Less than fortnight before the Scottish government publishes its draft Budget, the survey also found 56 per cent supported boosting the Scottish child payment from £27 to £40 a week, and 83 per cent backed extending free school meals.

Aberlour chief executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “The impact of poverty on children, families and communities is escalating and demands effective and urgent action.

“In Scotland, increasing the child payment to £40 would bring huge benefits to some of our poorest families.

“Wider reforms will help in time but, right now, giving direct financial support to the poorest families will help most.”

SNP Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We know that many families are still struggling as a result of the cost-of-living crisis — which is why we are allocating around £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty.”