The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Child benefit rollout hailed as ‘watershed’
The full rollout of a benefit payment to low-income families in Scotland has been hailed as a “watershed moment” – with politicians in the rest of the UK being urged to “take notice”.
Around 400,000 children in Scotland are now thought to be eligible for the Scottish Child Payment, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said if the scheme was replicated across the rest of the UK, 5.3 million youngsters in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland could benefit.
Chris Birt, associate director for the thinktank in Scotland, said the benefit should show the UK Government that “prioritising those on low incomes is possible”.
It also shows other devolved governments that the “constraints” on their powers are “no barrier to compassionate and significant action to support families”, he added.
The Scottish Child
Payment was previously paid to low-income families with younger children but is now available to all eligible households with youngsters under the age of 16.
At the same time, the payment – hailed by First Minster Nicola Sturgeon as the “most ambitious child poverty reduction measure in the UK” – has now been increased from £20 a week per child to £25.
It means eligible families will receive £1,300 a year per child – which Mr Birt
described as a “welcome boost” at a time when many household budgets are “stretched to breaking point”. He said: “The full rollout of the Scottish Child Payment is a watershed moment for tackling poverty in Scotland, and the rest of the UK should take notice.
“At £1,300 per child, per year it will be a welcome
boost to family budgets that are stretched to breaking point already.”
The UK Government noted its expansion of free school meals in England and other support available via Universal Credit.
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “Our priority will always be to support the most vulnerable and we
recognise that people are struggling with rising prices, which is why we are protecting millions of those most in need with at least £1,200 of direct payments.
“In addition, vulnerable families are being supported by the government’s household support fund – which was boosted by £500 million – to help pay for essentials.”