MSP’S praise for payment

Local MSP Clare Adamson has heaped praise on the announcement of a new benefit designed to lift children across Scotland out of poverty.

By the end of 2022, eligible families in Motherwell and Wishaw will now receive an extra £10 a week for every child under 16 – low income families with children under six will be fast tracked and start to receive the benefit in early 2021.

This announcement means that eligible families with two children under 16 will receive an additional £1,000 a year to spend on day to day essentials from clothing to school equipment.

Once fully rolled out, the payment will benefit up to 410,000 children across Scotland.there is no cap on the number of children in eligible families.

The announcement has been celebrated by anti-poverty campaigners who have branded the new benefit as a “gamechanger”.

Ms Adamson said: “This is a radical announcement and it’s exactly what we need if we are to reduce child poverty levels here in Motherwell and Wishaw in the face of ongoing welfare cuts from the Uktory Government.

“The ambition of this SNP Government to tackle poverty and give our young people from low income backgrounds the very best start in life is clear.

“I know the new Scottish Child Payment will be a welcome boost to many young families in Motherwell and Wishaw when it’s fully rolled out over the coming years.

“This move is the mark of a serious government – willing to take bold action to address the needs of Scotland’s people.”

John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, added:“this new payment is agame changer in the fight to end child poverty.

“Ten pounds per week for each child will make a difference to families struggling to put food on the table and pay for activities that are fundamental to a decent childhood.

“This is a landmark recognition of the role the Scottish social security system can play in ending child poverty.”