SNP Government criticised after Scottish Child Payment rises by just 45p a week

SNP Government comes under fire as Scottish Child Payment sees meagre increase by Daily Record

The Scottish National Party (SNP) Government is facing criticism after the Scottish Child Payment (SCP), their key anti-poverty benefit, was raised by a mere 45p per week. This rise, below the current inflation rate, falls short of meeting the expectations of anti-poverty campaigners. Ruth Boyle from the Poverty Alliance expressed disappointment, stating that the 1.7% increase is “simply not enough.”

John Swinney, the First Minister, has prioritised reducing child poverty. The SCP, currently at £26.70 weekly for low-income families per child, was hoped to see a substantial increase towards reaching £40 weekly by 2026. However, the Government announced a modest 1.7% rise to £27.15 in April, correlating with the September inflation rate, which has now increased to 2.3%.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison included plans in the draft Budget to eliminate the UK Government’s two-child benefit cap by 2026, pending data sharing with the Department for Work and Pensions in London. While this commitment was welcomed by campaigners, there are calls for a more significant rise in the SCP to tackle poverty in 2025.

Ruth Boyle emphasised the urgency of addressing child poverty in Scotland, highlighting that despite supporting 15,000 children out of poverty, there are still around 240,000 children living in poverty. Advocates, including John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, stress the need for a substantial increase above inflation to effectively support families and work towards meeting the legally bound 2030 child poverty targets.

As discussions continue on enhancing the SCP and addressing child poverty in Scotland, there is a growing demand for political leaders to take decisive action to create a fairer and more compassionate society for vulnerable families.

Insights and Summary:
The article highlights the discontent surrounding the marginal increase in the Scottish Child Payment, underscoring the persistent issue of child poverty in Scotland. Despite efforts to address this pressing concern, calls for a more substantial rise in the SCP emphasize the need for proactive measures to support struggling families. The debates surrounding anti-poverty benefits reflect broader societal challenges and the necessity for collaborative efforts to eradicate child poverty effectively.