MSP Gil Paterson has called on his experiences living in poverty as a youth to explain why the new Child Poverty Bill is important to Scotland.

The Clydebank MSP said Scotland has “a duty to end” the problem where one in five youngsters are living below the breadline.

Mr Paterson politician said his experiences living in poverty as a child caused him to understand the true effect deprivation can have on children.

The Bill, published on Friday, will see Scotland set statutory targets to reduce the number of children experiencing the damaging effects of poverty by 2030.

Holyrood will publish a three-year child poverty delivery plan by April 2018, updated every five years, and annual reports to measure the progress.

The SNP politician said: “This moment is special to me, having personal experience as a youngster living in poverty. It can be incredibly damaging to many, and cause great shame to children who find themselves in this situation.

“As a child, I took free school dinners until I became too embarrassed to by the bullying of others. The good thing now is no-one knows who gets free dinners and who doesn’t. The collapse of industry has thrust so many communities into poverty and marred the lives of many. The life expectancy statistics for parts of Clydebank and Glasgow, for example, are shameful. We have a duty to end this, and to take radical action to mend the communities society has failed.”