The Scottish Child Payment was introduced by the SNP Government in February 2021. So far, it has aided 7,295 children across Stirling and Clackmannanshire. This benefit pays out £25 per week to low-income families.
Since the introduction of this benefit, £8.1m has been paid to eligible families throughout Stirling and Clackmannanshire. To meet the requirements for this benefit, children must be under the age of 16 and from a low-income family. This is one of five family payments that the Scottish Government has available.
The idea behind the Scottish Child Payment is to provide regular aid and support to financially struggling families. It aims to fight child poverty as well as to support families throughout Scotland.
Having helped over 300,000 children across the country, the Scottish Child Payment has been commended as the most ambitious anti-poverty plan to be used in the UK.
The Child Poverty Action Group has described it as a “game-changer” in combatting child poverty, and the payment has also been hailed as a “lifesaver” by parents.
Keith Brown, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: “The Scottish Child payment was designed to tackle child poverty head on, so it is great to see the SNP’s benefit providing real support […]
“It’s not good news that so many families need this financial support for their children – but it is good news that they are getting it. Unlike the UK Government’s benefits policies, there is no cap on the number of eligible children in a family for this benefit.”
Commenting on the current cost of living crisis, Brown said: “I am conscious that, as we head into the winter months, and with the Tory-made cost of living crisis continuing to affect households across Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency, families will face even greater challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet. The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.”
Brown believes that while “it is clear the SNP Scottish Government is determined to use the powers it has to tackle child poverty and support Scotland’s most vulnerable families,” more could be done if the Scottish Government had more authority.
Brown said: “The profound impact of the Scottish Child Payment, in the face of both Westminster parties’ pursuit of cruel policies and cuts, perfectly demonstrates the need for Scotland to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country. Only this way can we build a fairer and more prosperous country.”
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