Greens hail doubling of Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment is to be doubled at the start of the new financial year.
The First Minister announced the plans at SNP conference after discussions with Scottish Greens.
Polling conducted by Survation for the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland show the majority of Scots back the move.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “With rising inflation, energy costs and the recent UK Government cuts to Universal Credit, further action to tackle child poverty could not have been more urgent. I'm therefore delighted that we have been able to double the Scottish Child Payment from April, just months after our policy of free bus travel for young people and children goes live.
“These bold actions deliver on key commitments made in the cooperation deal between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens, and they will make a real difference to families across Scotland.”
Commenting, Scottish Greens social security spokesperson Maggie Chapman said: “With one in four children in Scotland in poverty and with the pressing concerns of pandemic fallout and the cruel actions of the UK Government, Scottish Greens have been clear that the Scottish Child Payment should be doubled as soon as possible.
“We have seen a cruel cut to Universal Credit and the regressive rise in national insurance, both disproportionately impacting those most vulnerable to the economic fallout from COVID. The Scottish Government has heard the calls to act, and I’m pleased that the forthcoming budget will reflect this.
“Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a moral obligation. That is why we are introducing free bus travel for everyone under 22 from January, extending free school meals and have ensured government contracts pay the real living wage. We will continue to work towards a fairer greener Scotland.”