Let's eradicate child poverty

Swinney labels kids' deprivation 'a curse' | Leader rules out new tie-up with Greens

- CHRIS MCCALL

JOHN Swinney has declared his determination to eradicate child poverty in Scotland once he is voted in as first minister.

The veteran Nationalist used his first appearance as the new leader of the SNP yesterday to announce helping hard-up families would be his "principle policy interest".

Speaking in Glasgow shortly after his party confirmed he was the only candidate to replace Humza Yousaf, Swinney branded child poverty "a curse".

And he opened the door to the SNP working with pro-Union parties at Holyrood on key issues, as he ruled out any future cooperation agreement with the Scottish Greens.

Swinney, 60, is expected to be voted in at the Scottish Parliament today and will be formally sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh later this week.

He was announced as the SNP's third leader in 14 months shortly after noon yesterday after a deadline passed for any rival candidates to put their name forward.

The long-serving MSP then headed to Glasgow University to make a plea for cooperation at Holyrood as he prepares to take charge of a Scottish Government which no longer enjoys majority support.

Asked what his big ideas would be as leader of the country, Swinney said: "My principle policy interest the thing I am determined to do - is to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.