Child poverty campaigners hail “hugely welcome day for struggling families across Scotland”

Responding to the roll out of the Scottish child payment to under 16s and the increase of its value to £25 per week John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said:

“This will be a hugely welcome day for struggling families across Scotland, and a real step on the road toward ending child poverty. The £25 per week Scottish child payment is a significant and uniquely Scottish boost to family incomes at a time when it is needed more than ever. It’s now vital that we spread the word as widely as possible and ensure that every child that is eligible benefits from this crucial support.”

UK government must match Holyrood commitment on child poverty

Mr Dickie continued by calling on the UK government to use Thursday's Autumn statement to match the Scottish government’s investment in protecting children  from poverty:

“If the Scottish government can make this kind of serious investment in protecting our children from poverty then so too can the UK government. The Autumn Statement is the Chancellor’s opportunity to not only ensure UK benefits rise in line with inflation but to reverse the cuts made since 2010  - starting with a £20 a week uplift to child benefit.”

Notes

The Scottish child payment is currently a £20 payment made to low income families for children under 6 – see Scottish child payment

From 14 November, it will be rolled out to all under 16s in families in receipt of universal credit and equivalent legacy benefits and increased in value to £25.

CPAG in Scotland led calls for the introduction of the Scottish child payment and for increases to its value.

For further details, interviews and comment contact John Dickie on 07795 340 618.