Tackling Child Poverty Head On
The Scottish Child Payment is now being received by the families of more than 300,000 children and young people, according to official statistics.
New figures published today show that 303,000 children were receiving the payment at the end of March.
The total amount of the benefit paid out since its February 2021 launch now stands at £248.6 million.
Scottish Child Payment was extended to include all eligible children until their 16th birthday and increased to £25 per child per week in November last year.
The latest figures from Social Security Scotland reveal just how many children and families are being helped through these tough financial times by the most ambitious anti-poverty measure in the UK.
GRAEME
The introduction, expansion and increase in the value of the Scottish Child Payment has been a hugely significant achievement by an SNP Scottish Government absolutely committed to tackling child poverty.
I would urge any Angus families unsure of their eligibility to check this.
No-one in Scotland should be left unable to afford the basics for their children.
The game-changing Scottish Child Payment is designed to tackle child poverty head-on and lift families out of poverty.
FIRST MINISTER HUMZA YOUSAF
Families in Scotland are able to benefit from five family payments delivered by the Scottish Government which could be worth more than £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six and over £20,000 by the time an eligible child turns 16.
I am pleased at the take up of the Payment but we still want to get that money to all of those eligible. I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to find out more and apply.
…The Scottish Child Payment is one of an ambitious range of actions to support families immediately and in the long term.
Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of three critical missions for the Scottish Government, and it will continue to tackle child poverty via its second child poverty delivery plan for 2022-26 – Best Start Bright Futures.
Earlier this month, the First Minister convened a cross-party anti-poverty summit to listen to the views of people with lived experience of poverty, the third sector, academics, campaigners and other interested parties.
Everyone in Scotland should be able to afford the essentials but we know that more families are struggling than ever before.
POLLY JONES, SCOTLAND HEAD OF TRUSSELL TRUST
We have long called for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased and extended to all children up to 16 and so it’s very encouraging to see the positive impact this is making, reaching more families and getting more cash into the pockets of people who need support the most.
