3 days ago
Rutherglen MSP highlights support to help families with cost of learning
Clare Haughey spoke as children went back to school.
As children across South Lanarkshire head back to school this week, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has highlighted the wide range of support available to help families with the cost of learning.
This includes over 7400 Best Start Grant, School Age Payments worth a total of £2,057,810 paid out to local families in the last year.
The Best Start Grant, School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, to help with essentials such as school uniforms, shoes and bags. This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year.
The Scottish Government has also expanded free school meals to all pupils in primary one to five, with plans to extend this to all primary pupils in the lifetime of this parliament. Free school meals save families hundreds of pounds each year while ensuring every child has access to a healthy, nutritious lunch.
Ms Haughey said: 'The start of the school year is an exciting time for children, but it can also be a financially challenging time for families.
'That's why I'm proud that in the last year alone, over £2million has gone to families in South Lanarkshire through the Best Start Grant, School Age Payment.
'From the Best Start Grant and School Clothing Grants, to free school meals and the Scottish Child Payment, the Scottish Government is taking real, practical action to support families and tackle child poverty - using the powers we have to put money in the pockets of families, and ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.'
