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Moray's MSP calls on parents to apply for Best Start grant


By Alistair Whitfield

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Richard Lochhead is encouraging parents of children aged four to five to apply for a £250 Best Start Grant.

Richard Lochhead.
Richard Lochhead.

The payment is open to families with a child born between the start of March 2015 and the end of February 2016, who will be starting primary school later this year.

Called the School Age payment, it can be used for anything from a new pair of school shoes or arts and crafts materials for children.

It is part of the SNP Government’s Best Start Grant, a package of three payments for families in receipt of eligible benefits – including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit – to help at key stages in a child’s life.

Richard Lochhead said: "Covering the costs of a child starting school can be tough on family finances, especially in the current climate.

"The SNP Government’s school age payment offers low income families, or those who receive support like Universal Credit, a £250 payment around the time children start at primary school.

"We’re absolutely determined that every child, regardless of circumstances, gets the best start in life.

"So in these unprecedented and difficult times, I’d encourage families across Moray to check what other financial support they may be eligible for too – such as school clothing grants or free school meals."

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