Scotland is likely to miss key targets on reducing child poverty this year unless urgent action is taken, according to a government watchdog.

The Poverty and Inequality Commission’s chairman Bill Scott told the BBC there was a “grave danger” of Scotland also missing its final 2030 target.

The watchdog said the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment had made a real difference to child poverty.

But it said more needed to be done to give parents the chance to earn money.

Mr Scott said extra benefits payments in the form of the Scottish child payment were projected to have reduced child poverty by as many as 50,000 children.

However, even with that reduction, both next year’s interim target and the 2030 goal will be missed.