First payments made to elderly or ill victims of childhood abuse

The first payments have been made under a new scheme set up to help sur vivors of childhood abuse in care who are elderly or terminally ill.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced details of the £10,000 advance payments three weeks ago, saying then the move was a “significant milestone in our endeavours to do what we can to address the wrongs of the past”.

Since then five of the payments, which are being awarded while the Scottish Government continues to work on a statutory redress scheme for survivors of in-care abuse, have been made. A dedicated phone line set up to help abuse survivors apply for the money has taken about 150 calls.