Benefits rise could get 45,000 kids out of poverty

An increase of £50 a month in child benefits could bring about 45,000 children out of relative poverty, according to a think tank.

UK government cuts to benefit spending could increase poverty rates in Scotland over the next four years, IPPR Scotland said.

The body modelled the effects of topping up the child element of Universal Credit for the year 2019/20, which it estimates would cost £390 million a year.

Topping up the benefit by £150 a month could bring an estimated 100,000 children out of relative poverty. Relative child poverty is defined as families with children with earnings less than 60 per cent of median income after housing costs. IPPR Scotland director Russell Gunson said: “Increasing government spending to tackle child poverty will be necessary, but it won’t be enough on its own.”