The establishment of Scotland’s new social security system where dignity and respect is central will see the delivery of its first new benefits: the rise in Carer’s Allowance,  the Best Start Grant and the Funeral Expense Assistance.

Angela Constance  Social Security Secretary in the Scottish Government said:

“Our approach will always treat people with fairness, dignity and respect, and there is no better way to show this than providing the support that they need and when they need it. These steps are key to helping us create a fairer country for all.”

The timeline is as follows:

Increased Carer’s Allowance:

• delivery from summer 2018
• increasing to the same level as Jobseeker’s Allowance
• an investment of more than £30 million a year

Best Start Grant (replacing the Sure Start Maternity Grant)

• delivery by summer 2019
• a one-off grant of £600 for the first child in low income families – an increase of £100 on the current rate
• a re-introduction of £300 for subsequent children and two payments of £250 each during a child’s early years

Funeral Expense Assistance

• delivery by summer 2019
• processing applications within 10 days – significantly faster than at present
• making it easier for people to understand if they are eligible for assistance

The new benefits will at first have to be scrutinised and agreed to by the Scottish Parliament.