TWO out of every three children in Craigmillar are being brought up by parents living off benefits and missing out on basics others take for granted, according to a new hard-hitting report.
Save the Children warns 14,190 children across the city are living in households where no adult works.
But the worst problems are in Craigmillar, with 1120 children being brought up by parents who are living solely off income support, jobseeker's
allowance or incapacity benefit.
The charity says that it means that 59.6 per cent of the total number of under-15s who live in Craigmillar will be missing out on things such as play equipment, bikes, play groups and birthday presents. And they say that it can lead to a "vicious circle" of poor educational attainment and low-income jobs in later life.
But community leaders refute the claims, saying Craigmillar is making considerable progress and that even those on benefits can still give their children all they need.
Douglas Hamilton, Save the Children's head of policy in Scotland, said: "I would hope that people will be outraged by the level of worklessness seen in the area.
"Our research shows that worklessness among parents is the main risk factor of children living in severe poverty. It can lead to them missing out on basics that other children take for granted, such as a bike, a football, a warm home, attendance at toddler groups and school trips.
"Nearly half of parents living in severe poverty have no educational qualifications and their children are less likely to achieve in school."
Councillor Ian Perry, the former chairman of Parc Craigmillar, said: "I am surprised that the figure is so high but not surprised that poverty is to be found in Craigmillar given that the regeneration is a 15-year project and we are in year three. Over that time, I am confident Craigmillar will become like any other community in Edinburgh and the wide disparities will disappear."
Although Craigmillar has the highest rate of children dependent on workless parents, the problem exists across the city, with a ward average of 20.8 per cent of children living with parents who do not work. Muirhouse, at 48.4 per cent, was the second-worst ward, followed by Kaimes on 43.9 per cent, Murrayburn on 42.7 per cent and Parkhead on 42.4 per cent.
But it is in the Greater Craigmillar area that the levels are highest. Bingham-based parent Gail Ross, secretary of the Lismore Parents Action Group, said many parents in financial difficulties will still provide for their children.
She said: "I just don't believe that kids in Craigmillar whose parents are on benefits are necessarily missing out. A lot of people out of work will still have a lot of pride, and they won't want to see their laddie missing out so will buy him a bike, even if it means getting in debt."
New SNP councillor for Craigmillar and Portobello Mike Bridgeman said: "There are a lot of good people in Craigmillar and I would hope that new neighbourhood partnerships will allow them to make more of an impact."
'My kids always come first'
Honor, Johanna (left) and Nicole
SHE doesn't have a job and has to bring up three children on her own, but Honor Flynn has no doubt what comes first in life. The 40-year-old says her children have never had to miss out because she doesn't work and has always put their needs before her own.
And she has always made sure that college-bound Amy, 20, Nicole, eight, and Johanna, seven, have got all the essentials by her prudent use of the benefits she receives.
Miss Flynn, who says she will return to work for the first time since becoming a mum when Johanna goes to secondary school, said: "If you don't have enough money you just have to save and do without things yourself. It's the kids that make me happy so they always have to come first."
