Families In Stirling Receive £974,200 In Support From SNP Government
1,555 children in Stirling have been supported by the Scottish Child Payment since its introduction, according to figures released by the Scottish Government – with £974,000having been paid to families in the Stirling area.
The Scottish Child Payment of £20 per week per eligible child under 6 has been hailed ‘an absolute game changer in the fight to end child poverty’ by anti-poverty charities and described as a “lifesaver” by parents.
The payment, unique to Scotland and in place since February 2021, provides regular financial support to parents and carers to help with the costs of caring for a child and the latest research has also found that the payment is contributing to reducing child poverty in Scotland.
The Scottish Child Payment is set to increase to £25 per week and be rolled out to all children up to 16 years old by the end of the year.
Commenting SNP MSP for Stirling, Evelyn Tweed said:
“During a Tory-made cost of living crisis, the progress being made with the SNP’s Scottish Child Payment is more vital than ever – especially knowing the huge difference it has made to 1,555 children in Stirling since its introduction.
“I know the severe pressures facing households across Stirling just now are creating huge worry and concern amongst families that are struggling to get by and fear what lies ahead. The £974,000 support that the Scottish Child Payment is providing low-income households in Stirling is lifesaving, and I would encourage anyone not already receiving these benefits to check their eligibility.
“Sadly, we know that the cost of living is only set to increase, so I am pleased that families are set to benefit even further from this payment increasing to £25 per week, which is being extended to under 16-year-olds by the end of the year.
“During these hugely difficult times, the SNP Scottish Government is taking the bold action it can to support people with the powers at its disposal but it is battling against a cruel Tory Westminster government that is refusing to take any meaningful action to help real people.
“This level of negligence by Westminster is inexcusable. It illustrates yet again exactly why Scotland need to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country so we can build a fairer country that serves everyone.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about what benefits they may be entitled to can contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or via their website Social Security Scotland – Benefits
Notes
Below table pulled from Scottish Child Payment tables Aug 2022 (Information is calculated from introduction on 14/2/21 to end June 2022).
| Local Authority | FIGURE 1 Authorised applications (Table 4) | FIGURE 2 Value of Payments (Table 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 137,430 | £83,899,860 |
| Aberdeen City | 4,480 | £2,732,860 |
| Aberdeenshire | 3,815 | £2,378,600 |
| Angus | 2,785 | £1,730,020 |
| Argyll and Bute | 1,610 | £1,042,170 |
| Clackmannanshire | 1,535 | £926,030 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 3,625 | £2,285,460 |
| Dundee City | 4,710 | £2,862,540 |
| East Ayrshire | 4,150 | £2,498,600 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 1,465 | £890,600 |
| East Lothian | 2,435 | £1,442,350 |
| East Renfrewshire | 1,280 | £802,640 |
| Edinburgh, City of | 9,005 | £5,455,470 |
| Falkirk | 4,055 | £2,520,990 |
| Fife | 10,470 | £6,449,670 |
| Glasgow City | 22,830 | £13,744,240 |
| Highland | 4,760 | £2,957,520 |
| Inverclyde | 2,250 | £1,352,840 |
| Midlothian | 2,585 | £1,607,650 |
| Moray | 1,895 | £1,185,990 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 365 | £246,230 |
| North Ayrshire | 4,535 | £2,745,460 |
| North Lanarkshire | 11,055 | £6,670,130 |
| Orkney Islands | 265 | £175,960 |
| Perth and Kinross | 2,890 | £1,810,160 |
| Renfrewshire | 4,455 | £2,707,170 |
| Scottish Borders | 2,455 | £1,504,260 |
| Shetland Islands | 280 | £172,450 |
| South Ayrshire | 2,645 | £1,644,060 |
| South Lanarkshire | 8,130 | £5,058,990 |
| Stirling | 1,555 | £974,200 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 3,190 | £1,911,300 |
| West Lothian | 5,090 | £3,026,750 |