More than 300,000 children receiving new £25 Scottish Child Payment

Total value of payments now tops £248 million

Scottish Child Payment is now being received by the families of more than 300,000 children and young people, according to official statistics.

New figures published today show that 303,000 children were receiving the payment at the end of March.

The total amount of the benefit paid out since its February 2021 launch now stands at £248.6 million.

On a visit to Castlebrae Community High School in Edinburgh, First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“Since its launch in February 2021 Scottish Child Payment has offered help to those most in need.

“The Scottish Government increased the payment; first from £10 to £20 then to £25 in November when it was extended to include all eligible children from birth until they turn 16.

“That amounts to an increase of 150% and today’s statistics show just how important that support is.

“The incredible reach of Scottish Child Payment means that it is helping the families of around 303,000 children and young people.

“It means the payment has been embraced by those who need it and that our own new Social Security system has successfully delivered this uniquely Scottish payment.

“Our work isn’t done though and we ask anyone who thinks they are eligible to apply.”

Polly Jones, Head of Scotland at the Trussell Trust, said: “Everyone in Scotland should be able to afford the essentials but we know that more families are struggling than ever before.

“We have long called for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased and extended to all children up to 16 and so it’s very encouraging to see the positive impact this is making, reaching more families and getting more cash into the pockets of people who need support the most.”

Background

The statistics are available in full here: Social Security Scotland - Scottish Child Payment: high level statistics to 31 March 2023

Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of five family payments including: Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and Best Start Foods

Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments are paid automatically to parents and carers who already receive Scottish Child Payment when their children become eligible.

The Scottish Government estimates that the extended and increased payment could lift 50,000 children out of poverty in 2023/24, a reduction of five percentage points according to the most recent Scottish Government forecasts issued in March 2022.

Families who already get Scottish Child Payment for a child under the age of six can add older children to their existing award. There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive Scottish Child Payment.

Families and carers can apply at mygov.scot/scottishchildpayment or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222