Child payment 'will be a lifeline for families in the Highlands', says MSP Maree Todd
North MSP Maree Todd says the new Scottish Child Payment will be a “game-changer” in the fight against child poverty.
The payment, which is unique to Scotland, is to open early for applications from next Monday. Social Security Scotland will be taking applications ahead of its introduction on February 15 next year to help manage the expected demand.
Ms Todd, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, is encouraging parents and carers in the Highlands who are eligible to apply.
The new benefit, which will give eligible families on low incomes with children under 16 an extra £10 per week for each child, is planned to be fully rolled out to children under the age of 16 by the end of 2022, subject to data on qualifying benefits being received from the UK Department for Work and Pensions.
Ministers have prioritised the early introduction for families with a child under six and, despite the disruption of Covid-19, are able to start payments from early 2021.
Scotland is the only part of the UK where this additional payment for families with young children will be available. The payment could support up to 194,000 children this financial year and the payment will be made every four weeks.
Ms Todd MSP said: “The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious, game-changing new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty in the Highlands and across Scotland.
“This support is needed more than ever, and its early introduction for under-sixes – almost two years ahead of the original commitment for a new payment – will be a lifeline for so many families in the Highlands.
"While the SNP does everything it can to tackle poverty, the Tories at Westminster are still helplessly trying to defend their shameless decision to deprive children of free school meals over the holidays.
“Children and families simply shouldn’t have to depend on the whim of Boris Johnson’s callous Tory government to get through this Covid-19 crisis.
“This benefit will be a lifeline for many children, young people and their families in the Highlands. I’d encourage anyone who is eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
The Scottish Government committed to introducing the new payment in June 2019 as part of its Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
Social security secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK. Almost 60 per cent of all children in poverty live in a family where a child is under six, so I am proud we are able to introduce it early for families with young children – almost two years ahead of the original commitment for this new benefit to be introduced.
“We are expecting a significant demand for this new payment so are opening applications early from November 9 and will make the first payments in around 15 weeks.
“A great deal of effort has gone into creating this payment – including overcoming the impact of Covid-19 on plans and work schedules to ensure we get money to the families who need it.
“I encourage all parents and carers who may be eligible to apply now and am asking families to help us by getting their applications in early so that we can process and start making payments as quickly as possible once the benefit starts in February next year.
“Significantly more families are now relying on benefits due to the events of this year – some perhaps for the first time – and this payment will help lift children in Scotland out of poverty.”