Thousands of children benefit from Scottish Child Payment

Latest figures released by the Scottish Government show that 3,575 children have been in recipient of the £25 per week payments since they were introduced in 2021.

The government brought in the weekly payment to combat child poverty and support families across Scotland and has paid out over £8 million already.

Keith Brown, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, hailed the payments as a step in the right direction from the government.

He said: “The Scottish Child Payment was designed to tackle child poverty head on, so it’s great to see the SNP’s benefit providing real support to 3,575 children in Clackmannanshire – with £8,101,780 having been paid out to families since it started in February 2021.

“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.

“I am conscious that, as we head into the winter months, and with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to affect households across Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, families will face even greater challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet.

“The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.

“Having increased the Scottish Child Payment by 150% since its introduction and expanded eligibility to under 16s, it is clear the Scottish Government is determined to use the powers it has to tackle child poverty and support Scotland’s most vulnerable families.

“The profound impact of the Scottish Child Payment 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.”

The Scottish Child Payment is available to eligible children under the age of 16 and forms part of five family payments available from the Scottish Government.