1895 children have been supported by the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction, according to figures released by the Scottish Government – with £1.18m having been paid to local families.
The Scottish Child Payment of £20 per week per eligible child under 6 has been hailed ‘an absolute game changer in the fight to end child poverty’ by anti-poverty charities.
The payment, unique to Scotland and in place since February 2021, provides regular financial support to parents and carers to help with the costs of caring for a child and latest research has also found that the payment is contributing to reducing child poverty in Scotland.
The Scottish Child Payment is set to increase to £25 per week and be rolled out to children up to 16 years old by the end of the year.
Commenting SNP MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead said:
“During a Tory-made cost of living crisis, the progress being made with the SNP’s Scottish Child Payment is welcome – especially knowing the huge difference it has made to almost 1900 children in Moray since its introduction.
“I know the severe pressures facing household across Moray just now and that families are struggling to get by.
“There’s no doubt that the £1.18m of support that the Scottish Child Payment has provided for low income families locally has been an important lifeline.
“Sadly, we know that the cost of living is only set to increase so I am pleased that this payment is increasing to £25 a week, as well as being extended to children under 16 by the end of the year.
“During these difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is committed to doing everything it can to support families with the powers at its disposal, but sadly it is battling against an absent Tory Government that’s failing to take meaningful action to help people get through this crisis.”
