Consultation on new family grants

A consultation has been launched on Scottish ministers’ plans to help low income families with grants of up to £1,100.

The Best Start Grant is one of 11 benefits to be paid out by the new Scottish social security system.

It will replace the UK government’s Sure Start maternity grant, giving poorer families a £600 payment when they have their first child and two later payments of £250 each when the child can access a nursery place and when they start primary school.