DEMAND for debt advice has almost doubled as Scottish public services are slashed and one in four children languish in poverty, a charity has said.

Children 1^st has launched an appeal for donations after witnessing a staggering 92 per cent increase in demand for financial advice as the “cost-of-greed” crisis continues to trap families in a cycle of debt and poverty.

The charity says more than 1,500 children have needed their assistance over the last year, almost double the previous year’s figure.

And debt managed by the charity had increased by 150 per cent from £325,000 in 2022-23 to £813,000 in the year since, as families struggle to cover the costs of basics such as food and children’s shoes and clothing.

Children 1^st made its plea as Citizens’ Advice Scotland warned of more strife to come, with data showing 736,498 people had used commercial credit such as credit cards to pay for food.

More than 276,000 people had used this means to pay soaring energy bills, while 138,093 used it to pay council tax.

Children 1st’s Mary Glasgow said: “Children are in crisis. With one in four children living in poverty and no sign of improvement, the lasting impact on their safety, health and opportunities could be devastating.

“Our dedicated teams are seeing a huge increase in families turning to us for help.

“With the cost-of-living crisis and cuts to public services, there is nowhere else for them to go.

“We want to be able to help every child whose family turns to us for support, but we urgently need the public’s support to be able to respond to the continued crisis.”

The Scottish government has been contacted for comment.