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The National
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The National
Is it right that spending quality time with family is now a privilege?
But for a lot of families, especially over the summer holidays, it can bring dread. I know many people who are really struggling right now because the costs of just getting through the day are so high. Summer holidays mean extra meals, outings, childcare, the clothes that don't fit any more – the swimming gear and shorts are too small and tight. Replacing it all adds up quickly. Even when you try to do things on the cheap, sun cream, snacks, shoes, ice creams, and bus fares all take planning and money. Some people have the flexibility to take time off in the summer. Others don't, especially single parents. If you can't find childcare, you can't work. If you don't work, the bills stack up. Even in homes where both adults are working, I know people who are on Universal Credit just to keep things going. That's the reality for many families now. Summer compounds the issue. READ MORE: Meet the Scot who who suggested schoolchildren be given free milk And it's not just about money. There's a lot of pressure on parents to make things 'fun' over the summer. To give their kids memories. But that can be hard when you're running on empty both financially and emotionally. I know what it's like to be in a busy household where you're juggling the washing, the cleaning, the feeding, the tidying. Especially if you have children with additional needs, it can feel like you never stop. But at some point, we need to stop. We need to have space to enjoy being with our children, not just managing them. Is it right that having fun, spending quality time with friends and family, is now a privilege? Summer should be about connection, not just routine. Families and friends need time together. Children need play and laughter, not just boundaries and structure. Parents need to be able to breathe. That's why I think it's important we talk about holidays – and I don't just mean fancy flights or theme parks. READ MORE: Shona Craven: I spent the weekend beach-cleaning and it really is a race against time I mean having time away from the everyday stress. Being able to slow down. To enjoy a picnic, or a walk, or a day at the beach without panicking about every pound spent. These things shouldn't be a luxury. They should be part of what we consider a good life. To be fair, the Scottish Government has brought in support that does help families, such as the Scottish Child Payment, the Best Start Grant, school clothing grants, and the Carer's Allowance Supplement. These don't solve everything but they're helping families stay afloat, and in some cases giving a bit of breathing room during tough times. It's a different approach and one that recognises that poverty isn't a personal failure but something we can tackle together through good policy and compassion. I'm glad to live in a country that is choosing to build something better. That sees social security as a safety net, not a punishment. That is willing to say that kids deserve a joyful summer. Parents deserve rest. And that wellbeing isn't soft, it's essential. All of this is part of a bigger picture. The idea that people's need for happiness and family life should come before short-term profits. That's what a wellbeing economy means to me. It doesn't mean we don't care about business, but we recognise that thriving people are the foundation of a thriving economy. Having something to look forward to, some time out, joy, a break from stress, matters more than we often admit. It's what keeps us going. I do think there's a wider conversation to be had, because even with all the good intentions and strong policies, Scotland is still operating with limited powers. We don't control the minimum wage. We don't set the rules for Universal Credit. We can't make sure that every family in Scotland gets the consistent support it needs throughout the year. So much of what we do is about mitigating the effects of decisions made elsewhere. But imagine if we didn't have to do so much patching up. Imagine if we could build the kind of country we know we're capable of without tied hands. That's what independence is really about for me. It's about having the tools to create a country where no child dreads the summer holidays. Where no parent has to choose between earning and caring. Where wellbeing isn't wishful thinking it's built into everything we do. So yes, the sun is shining and Scotland is looking glorious. But let's not forget the families behind closed doors who are just trying to make it to bedtime. Scotland is already showing what's possible when we put people first. With full powers over welfare, employment and tax, we could stop just softening the blows and start creating real, lasting change. We build a stronger nation by putting people first, starting now. Choosing a different path from Westminster and delivering it here in Scotland, valuing the whole person, not just statistics.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Parents urged to apply for £319 one-off payment to help cover school costs after the summer
Applications for the School Age Payment are now open until February 28, 2026. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Social Security Scotland is urging parents, carers and guardians on certain benefits with a child born between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, to check whether they are eligible for a one-off payment worth £319.80. The Best Start Grant School Age Payment is made per eligible child in Scotland-only and aims to help with the costs of preparing them for school. Application for School Age Payment opened on June 1 and will be open until February 28, 2026. School Age Payment is issued automatically to people who get Scottish Child Payment. People who do not receive the devolved benefit, or who have opted out of automatic payments, should apply - full details on here. The money aims to help parents or carers with the costs of their child starting school and is available for all eligible children from the same household. The School Age Payment has not replaced the School Clothing Grant and does not affect payments of the School Clothing Grant in any way. If you want to apply for both, you can - full details here. A person may be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods if they or their partner meet these conditions: live in Scotland are pregnant or have a child who's the right age for a payment are the main person looking after the child get certain benefits Benefits or payments you need to get To get Best Start Grant and Foods, normally you or your partner need to get one of these: Universal Credit Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) If you're under 20-years-old and do not get one of the payments listed above, you may still be able to get Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. If you're not getting any of these benefits or payments, but have applied for one, you can still apply for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. Guidance on also explains that 'Child Benefit on its own is not an accepted benefit for Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods. You must get one of the benefits from this list.' People can apply online, by phone or by post. More information can be found on the dedicated Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods pages on here or by calling Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222. Scottish Child Payment Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and provides financial support for families, helping with the costs of caring for a child. It is a weekly payment, currently worth £27.15 (£108.60 every four-week pay period), for every eligible child that a parent or carer looks after who's under 16 years of age. Social Security Scotland recently revealed that there are around one in 10 families who might be eligible for the payment but not claiming it. Combined with Child Benefit payments from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), parents could be due up to £212.80 every month in additional support. Child Benefit is a separate UK-wide payment worth £26.05 for the eldest or only child. The payment is also issued every four weeks which amounts to £104.20 every payment period. Parents with additional children receive £17.25 each week, some £69.00 every four week pay period. Scottish Child Payment is also one of the five family payments parents and carers may be eligible for along with Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. To qualify for Scottish Child Payment, all of the following need to apply: the person lives in Scotland the person or their partner are getting certain benefits or payments the person or their partner are the main person looking after a child who's under 16 years old A full list of qualifying benefits can be found online here. Parents, carers and guardians can get more information about financial help on the dedicated Children and Family section on here or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
