Child poverty campaigners welcome First Minister’s conference commitment to double bridging payment

“The First Minister has heard the calls, listened to the evidence and acted in the face of extraordinary cost of living pressures.”

Responding to the First Minister's conference speech announcement that the final Scottish child payment bridging payment will be doubled.

John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said:

“This is really good news for thousands of families of school-aged children who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of soaring food and fuel prices. An extra £130 makes a real difference when cupboards are bare, debts are mounting and children’s wellbeing is suffering. More support will inevitably be needed in the coming months from every level of government, but the First Minister has heard the calls, listened to the evidence and acted in the face of extraordinary cost of living pressures. On top of her confirmation of the roll out of the Scottish child payment to all under 16s next month, and increase in its value to £25, this all provides at least some comfort to hard up families across Scotland.”

Notes

CPAG in Scotland is a leading member of the End Child Poverty coalition that co-ordinated an open letter to the First Minister in  signed by over 130 trade unions, faith groups, children’s charities and community organisations across Scotland urging her to double the Scottish child bridging payments see - Double vital bridging payments as cost of living crisis worsens, First Minister urged

CPAG has been a longstanding leader in the campaign for universal free school meals since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999.