SNP BUDGET DELIVERS £3.5 BILLION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

SNP COMMITTED TO TACKLING POVERTY WHILE TORIES DUCK RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Colin Beattie, Constituency MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has called on local politicians from all parties to get behind historic funding to continue the delivery of a social security system which places fairness, dignity and respect at its heart.
 
SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has committed a £3.5billion allocation for benefit spend in the next year – including £68 million to deliver the “game-changing” Scottish Child Payment, which is forecast to benefit 163,000 eligible children under 6 in 2021-22.
 
This budget will support Social Security Scotland’s delivery of the new Child Disability Payment for the families of children with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
 
The SNP Government will also invest £41 million in the Scottish Welfare Fund - which will enable local authorities to continue to support the most vulnerable people in our communities and help mitigate the additional impact of COVID-19.
 
SNP MSP, Colin Beattie said:
 
“The SNP’s plan to commit £3.5 billion to social security is central to our commitment to tackling poverty and creating a social security system with fairness, dignity and respect at its heart. 
 
“This will put money directly into the pockets of people in Midlothian and East Lothian who need it most - including through the ‘game-changing' Scottish Child Payment which will ease the struggle some families are facing due to the Covid-19 crisis and will tackle child poverty across Scotland.
 
“Tory cuts are driving too many families into poverty – but the SNP is determined to use every power at our disposal to help families make ends meet.
 
“MSPs across Lothian should now get behind these budget proposals, and secure substantial funding to support the most vulnerable people in our communities and help mitigate the damaging impact of Covid-19.”