£3.95 MILLION PAID OUT IN SUPPORT LOCALLY
More than 3,600 children in East Dunbartonshire have benefitted from the Scottish Child Payment, according to the latest figures released by the Scottish Government - with £3.95 million paid out to families.
The payment of £25 per week, available to eligible children under the age of 16, is one of five family payments available from the Scottish Government which provide regular financial support to low income families.
The Scottish Child Payment is designed to combat child poverty and support families across Scotland, and these figures demonstrate the significant impact of this for 3,655 local children in need, and 316,190 across the whole of Scotland, the latter a rise of more than 13,000 compared to March 31 2023. The Scottish Fiscal Commission had forecast the average take-up in 2023/24 would be 309,000.
Following its introduction in February 2021, the payment, one of the most ambitious anti-poverty measure to be implemented in the UK, has been hailed as a “game-changer” in tackling child poverty by the Child Poverty Action Group and described as a “lifesaver" by parents.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Rona Mackay said: “The Scottish Child payment was designed to tackle child poverty head on, so it is great to see the SNP’s benefit providing real support to so many children in my constituency.
“I am conscious that, as we head into the winter months, and with the Tory-made cost of living crisis continuing to affect local households, families will face even greater challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet. The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.
“Having increased the Scottish Child Payment by 150% since its introduction and expanded eligibility to under 16s, it is clear the SNP Scottish Government is determined to use the powers it has to tackle child poverty and support Scotland’s most vulnerable families.
“The profound impact of the Scottish Child Payment, in the face of both Westminster parties' pursuit of cruel policies and cuts, perfectly demonstrates the need for Scotland to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country. Only this way can we build a fairer and more prosperous country."
ENDS
NOTES
Below table pulled from Scottish Child Payment Tables Aug 2023 (information calculated on 30th June 2023)
Local Authority area
Number of children
[FIGURE 1]
Value of Payments
[FIGURE 2]
Total
316,190
£352,690,935
Aberdeen City
10,165
£11,441,250
Aberdeenshire
9,450
£10,268,405
Angus
6,350
£7,194,780
Argyll and Bute
4,125
£4,448,355
Clackmannanshire
3,575
£3,944,395
Dumfries and Galloway
8,985
£9,918,000
Dundee City
10,770
£11,970,360
East Ayrshire
8,760
£10,059,685
East Dunbartonshire
3,655
£3,953,015
East Lothian
5,480
£6,087,705
East Renfrewshire
3,520
£3,801,315
Edinburgh, City of
20,185
£22,317,645
Falkirk
10,085
£11,190,220
Fife
24,305
£27,141,225
Glasgow City
50,885
£56,581,245
Highland
11,490
£12,646,075
Inverclyde
5,250
£5,851,840
Midlothian
5,955
£6,657,315
Moray
4,595
£5,056,925
Na h-Eileanan Siar
955
£1,043,130
North Ayrshire
10,335
£11,670,280
North Lanarkshire
23,610
£26,728,800
Orkney Islands
765
£793,765
Perth and Kinross
7,055
£7,761,555
Renfrewshire
10,300
£11,450,080
Scottish Borders
5,705
£6,303,075
Shetland Islands
775
£792,510
South Ayrshire
6,145
£6,856,990
South Lanarkshire
19,115
£21,384,600
Stirling
3,720
£4,157,385
West Dunbartonshire
6,990
£7,918,300