Scottish Child Payment support for Aberdeenshire children welcomed

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has welcomed new figures which show that 9735 children in the north-east are currently receiving the Scottish Child Payment.

The payment, which provides £25 per week to every eligible child, is estimated to lift 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2023/24.

In Aberdeenshire, 108,085 payments worth £13,467,935 have been paid out to help tackle child poverty – with over £450 million issued across Scotland.

The Scottish Government has made tackling child poverty its number one priority with a five per cent reduction in 2023/24.

Ms Martin said: “The Scottish Government’s Scottish Child Payment is taking direct action to eliminate child poverty in Scotland and it is very welcome that it is currently supporting 9735 children in Aberdeenshire.

“As we head into the winter months, and with the Tory-made cost of living crisis continuing to affect households across Aberdeenshire, families will face even greater challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet.

"The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.

“The fact that more than 100,000 payments have been made in Aberdeenshire, worth £13.4 million, is very positive and I know this will be going a long way to support young people who need it most.

“The Scottish Government are taking action to meet our mission of tackling child payment and I strongly encourage people to spread the word so as many children eligible for this payment get it as possible."

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