565 children in the Western Isles have benefited from the Scottish Child Payment since it was introduced, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government.
Since the inception of the Scottish Child Payment in February 2021, families in the Western Isles have benefited from £437,180 in additional support. Now available to eligible families with children up to the age of 16, the full roll-out has been described as a “watershed moment” in tackling poverty in Scotland.
The Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and is projected to lift around 50,000 children out of poverty in 2023/24.
It has been hailed as a “game-changer” by anti-poverty charities and is backed up with £442 million of funding from the Scottish Government in the next financial year.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, said:
“I am delighted that these new figures show a significant uptake in families being supported by the Scottish Child Payment here in the Western Isles.
“The Scottish Child Payment, which is now £25 a week - a 150% increase - is a momentous achievement of this SNP Government and is the most ambitious poverty reduction measure in the UK. This flagship payment underlines the SNP Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to tackling child poverty, particularly as the Tory cost of living crisis deepens.
“While the Scottish Government continues to dig deep in its fight to end child poverty, its efforts are repeatedly curtailed by the UK Government’s reckless pursuit of ideologically-driven austerity. With many families struggling to afford basic necessities, particularly in an area already so affected by fuel poverty, this support is needed now more than ever before.
“But only independence will give Scotland the full powers to tackle poverty at source and uphold the values of respect, dignity and compassion for all."