£250 grant will give children ‘best start’

Parents of children aged four and five have been encouraged to apply for the Scottish Government’s Best Start Grant.

Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, said a one-off £250 payment is currently open to eligible families.

They have to have a child born between March 1, 2015, and February 29, 2016, who will be starting primary school later this year, he said.

The payment can be used for anything from a new pair of school shoes or arts and crafts materials for children, said Mr Russell.

He said the payment is part of the SNP government’s Best Start Grant, a package of three payments for families in receipt of eligible benefits – including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit – to help at key stages in a child’s life.

Mr Russell said: ‘Covering the costs of a child starting school can be tough on family finances, especially in the current climate. The SNP government’s school-age payment offers low income families, or those who receive support such as

Michael Russell MSP.

Universal Credit a £250 payment around the time children start at primary school.

‘We’re absolutely determined that every child, regardless of circumstances, gets the best start in life. So in these unprecedented and difficult times, I’d encourage families across Argyll and Bute to check what other financial support they may be eligible for too – such as school clothing grants or free school meals.’

Go to https://www.mygov. scot/best-start-grant-beststart-foods/ or call 0800 182 2222 to find out more or apply.