Explanatory note

This Order amends the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 (“the 2017 Act”) to allow the Poverty and Inequality Commission established by section 8 and the schedule of that Act to consider a wider range of poverty and inequality issues than those that are contained in the 2017 Act.

In summer 2017 the Scottish Ministers tasked a body of persons with providing advice on reduction of poverty and inequality in Scotland. Subsequently the Scottish Parliament enacted the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill to establish a Poverty and Inequality Commission (“the Commission”), with functions relating to child poverty targets described in that Bill. It would promote efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercise of public functions for the two functions to be combined and delivered by a single body. Article 2(2) of this Order expands the functions of the Commission accordingly.

Article 2(3) expands the membership of the Commission and broadens the experience and knowledge that is to be considered when the Scottish Ministers propose persons to the Scottish Parliament for approval for appointment to the Commission.