ANTI-POVERTY PAYMENT COULD BENEFIT AROUND 4,100 CHILDREN IN MIDLOTHIAN AND OVER 4,000 CHILDREN IN EAST LOTHIAN

“GAME-CHANGER” BENEFIT CENTRAL TO SNP AMBITION TO TACKLE CHILD POVERTY

An estimated around 4,100 children across Midlothian and over 4,000 children across East Lothian could benefit from the Scottish Government’s ground-breaking anti-poverty payment, new figures have revealed.

The Scottish Child Payment will be worth £10 per child for low-income families by the end of 2022, with introduction for under-6s starting by early 2021.

Latest figures from the Scottish Fiscal Commission estimate that 194,000 children aged under six in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment - with 4,100 children and families estimated to benefit from the payment in Midlothian and over 4,000 children and families in East Lothian.

The brand new benefit was described as a “game changer” and a “lifeline” by anti-poverty campaigners and is central to the SNP’s ambitions to tackle child poverty.

Commenting, SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:

“The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious and ground-breaking new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty across the country. 

“This support is needed more than ever, and when this additional £10 per week per child becomes available in February, it will be a lifeline for many such families in Midlothian and East Lothian.  

“It will help reduce financial pressures and demonstrates the potential of social security to make a positive difference and reflect our society’s shared values of compassion and fairness.

“Tory cuts are driving too many families in Midlothian and East Lothian into poverty – but the SNP is determined to use every power at our disposal to help families make ends meet.”