North east MSPs welcome new Scottish Child Payment

North-east MSPs have welcomed the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment which will provide parents and carers with additional financial support for their families.

The new Scottish Government benefit will provide a total of £40 every four weeks for each child under six-years-old.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin and Banffshire and Buchan Coast Stewart Stevenson have welcomed the payments which start at the end of this month and are encouraging anyone who hasn’t applied to do so.

Commenting, Gillian Martin said: “The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment will be a welcome boost for families across Aberdeenshire and I would urge anyone who hasn’t applied to do so as soon as they can, so they can receive this benefit that is unique to Scotland.

“As the Scottish Government rolls out this new benefit it is in stark contrast to the Tories at Westminster who are planning on taking away the £20 uplift to Universal Credit at a time when families need it most.

"The Scottish Child Payment has been described as ‘game-changing’ as it will make a difference to the lives of thousands of children across Scotland.”

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said: “Along with the Best Start Grant and other benefits rolled out by Social Security Scotland, the Scottish Child Payment is forming part of a benefits system built on dignity, fairness and respect, working for the people of Scotland, not against them.”

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