The Scottish Government’s Scottish Child Payment, which is set to double to £20 per child per week in April, has already helped 235 children in Orkney.

The payment was introduced in 2021 to support low-income families with children aged under six by providing regular, additional financial support for families already in receipt of qualifying benefits to assist with the costs of caring for a child.

The payment of £10 per week, unique to Scotland, as a direct measure to tackle poverty. It provides regular, additional financial support to parents and carers to help with the costs of caring for a child.

John Dickie, the Director of the Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“The Scottish Child Payment is already providing vital financial support to families, helping parents give the best possible start in life to their children.

“Doubling its value from April comes at a critical time, helping families stay afloat as food and energy prices soar. The roll out to eligible children over five is now eagerly anticipated and really can’t come soon enough.”

As of 31 December 2021, it is estimated that 104,000 children across Scotland were in receipt of Scottish Child Payment – equating to £45.2 million worth of payments by the Scottish Government – and that is expected to rise to over 400,000 eligible children by the end of 2022 which is when the benefit will be extended to children under the age of 16.

Commenting Highlands and Islands SNP MSP, Emma Roddick said:

“I am delighted that 235 children across Orkney are benefitting from the Scottish Child Payment which will double in just a month’s time.

“Come April, this means that 235 children and families across Orkney receive £20 per child per week – four times the amount originally demanded by campaigners and illustrating just how focussed the Scottish Government is on meeting Scotland’s Child Poverty targets.

“Once again though, the tale of two governments is striking. While the SNP is doubling the Scottish Child Payment to lift thousands of children out of poverty, this game-changing action is being undone by the Tories at Westminster who have cut £20 per week from many of the same families – knowingly pushing thousands of families into poverty.

“The people in Orkney deserve the chance to escape the damaging policies we get under Westminster control and choose a better path, one with the full powers that an independent Scotland would bring and allow us to build a fairer society.”