Latest news with #ScottishChildPayment
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
FOI reveals Anas Sarwar didn't raise welfare cuts with Rachel Reeves
On March 26, the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement and announced a £5 billion package of welfare cuts, with a huge number of people now set to be denied the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Charities and health experts have since warned the cuts could risk lives, as the UK Government's own analysis indicates that an extra 250,000 people could be living in relative poverty by 2029-30 as a result – including 50,000 children. But an FOI submitted by the SNP, which asked for any correspondence to Reeves from Sarwar and his frontbench spokesperson Paul O'Kane between March 1 and April 15 this year, received this response: 'We can confirm that the HM Treasury does not hold information within the scope of your request.' READ MORE: 'That shouldn't be happening': Inside a chaotic Hamilton by-election hustings Scores of Labour politicians have made clear their opposition to the plans over the past few months, including Manchester mayor Andy Burnham who has said "it feels like the wrong choice". Scottish Labour leader Sarwar, meanwhile, has defended the cuts publicly, saying the impact assessment only considered the benefits changes, not a "package of measures" announced by the UK Government which could help tackle poverty. SNP MSP Collette Stevenson said the FOI revealed that Sarwar 'will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland'. She added: 'From adopting harmful Tory policies to copying Tory austerity, the priorities and values of this Labour Party are completely out of sync with those of the people of Scotland. 'However, it seems that Scottish Labour are on the same page as their Westminster bosses; content to stay silent while hundreds of thousands of families have critical support taken away by Rachel Reeves (above). 'Yet again, Anas Sarwar has shown he will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland. 'The SNP is taking action to ensure that Scotland remains the only party in the UK where rates of child poverty are falling, including providing support through the Scottish Child Payment and working towards abolishing Labour's two-child cap. 'But Labour's choices at Westminster are holding back Scotland's progress, and senior figures in Scottish Labour have nothing to say about it. 'While Anas Sarwar looks for his missing backbone, the SNP is putting Scotland first - and standing up to the cruel policies of the UK Labour Government." Scottish Labour have been approached for comment.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
SNP slam Anas Sarwar as FOI reveals ‘silence' over welfare cuts
On March 26, the Chancellor delivered her Spring Statement and announced a £5 billion package of welfare cuts, with a huge number of people now set to be denied the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Charities and health experts have since warned the cuts could risk lives, as the UK Government's own analysis indicates that an extra 250,000 people could be living in relative poverty by 2029-30 as a result – including 50,000 children. But an FOI submitted by the SNP, which asked for any correspondence to Reeves from Sarwar and his frontbench spokesperson Paul O'Kane between March 1 and April 15 this year, received this response: 'We can confirm that the HM Treasury does not hold information within the scope of your request.' READ MORE: 'That shouldn't be happening': Inside a chaotic Hamilton by-election hustings Scores of Labour politicians have made clear their opposition to the plans over the past few months, including Manchester mayor Andy Burnham who has said "it feels like the wrong choice". Scottish Labour leader Sarwar, meanwhile, has defended the cuts publicly, saying the impact assessment only considered the benefits changes, not a "package of measures" announced by the UK Government which could help tackle poverty. SNP MSP Collette Stevenson said the FOI revealed that Sarwar 'will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland'. She added: 'From adopting harmful Tory policies to copying Tory austerity, the priorities and values of this Labour Party are completely out of sync with those of the people of Scotland. 'However, it seems that Scottish Labour are on the same page as their Westminster bosses; content to stay silent while hundreds of thousands of families have critical support taken away by Rachel Reeves (above). 'Yet again, Anas Sarwar has shown he will always stand up for the Prime Minister rather than stand up for vulnerable households in Scotland. 'The SNP is taking action to ensure that Scotland remains the only party in the UK where rates of child poverty are falling, including providing support through the Scottish Child Payment and working towards abolishing Labour's two-child cap. 'But Labour's choices at Westminster are holding back Scotland's progress, and senior figures in Scottish Labour have nothing to say about it. 'While Anas Sarwar looks for his missing backbone, the SNP is putting Scotland first - and standing up to the cruel policies of the UK Labour Government."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month
Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month More than 233,000 parents are receiving extra financial support through the Scottish Child Payment. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Parents on a low income with children up to the age of 16 are being urged to 'check their eligibility and start their application today' for a benefit only available in Scotland. New figures from the Scottish Government show that Scottish Child Payment is supporting 326,255 children aged 16 and under. 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. Child Benefit warning to parents ahead of crucial payment deadline READ MORE: 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. Article continues below Michelle, a mother of three from Edinburgh shared the impact Scottish Child Payment is having in her daughter's life. She explained: 'One of my daughters has autism and ADHD, and Scottish Child Payment allows me to do activities that calm her down and make her happy and that makes a massive difference.' She added: 'Scottish Child Payment is something that helps you and helps your children when you're in a difficult financial situation. I think there's sometimes a stigma around applying for it, especially as a single mother, but I highly recommend that those who have yet to apply for it do so.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government's top priority and a national mission. These figures show that the Scottish Government is supporting 233,040 individual clients and 326,255 children throughout Scotland, with over £7.5 million paid out in Scottish Child Payment. 'These payments are actively improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Scotland - helping their families to access essentials and experiences they might otherwise miss out on because they live on a low income. 'In the coming year it is forecast we'll invest a further £471 million, ensuring that this support continues to reach even more families and children who need it." 'We would urge those who are thinking of applying for financial support, to check their eligibility and start their application today.' Scottish Child Payment is 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. Article continues below 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. Get the latest Record Money news Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates. Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday - sign up here. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Abolishing child benefit cap is 'opportunity' for Swinney
Pressure increased this week after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage confirmed his party would abolish the policy, which restricts means-tested benefits to the first two children in a family. That has led the UK Government to announce it will 'not rule out' abolishing the cap, which was first introduced by the Conservative administration in 2017, but maintained by Labour. UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also told BBC Breakfast her government was looking at the logistics of scrapping the policy, adding: 'nothing is off the table'. The Scottish Government intends to mitigate the cap by April 2026 – however if it is scrapped before then, it could save up to £200 million each year. John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, told The Herald that would then give First Minister John Swinney the opportunity to eradicate child poverty, which has been defined as his central mission in government. Read more: Starmer faces mounting pressure to abolish child benefit cap I've gone to school hungry. This is what it's really like Teachers feed children as quarter are 'too hungry' to learn The Herald, alongside 23 leading charities, wrote to the Prime Minister calling for the cap to be abolished, and called on Mr Swinney to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week. Mr Dickie said: 'Across the UK 109 children a day are being pushed into poverty by the two-child limit alone. "They and their struggling families need the Westminster government to act fast and decisively to scrap the policy at source. No child poverty strategy that retains this poverty producing policy is credible. It needs to go. 'Here in Scotland the £155 to £200m currently earmarked by the Scottish government to mitigate the policy from next year must then be freed up to help increase the Scottish child payment to the £40 a week that The Herald, children's charities, and anti-poverty campaigners have all called for. 'There is an opportunity here for both governments to make serious inroads into the poverty that continues to hold so many children and families back,' he added. 'Ending the two-child limit and investing in the Scottish Child Payment are the most direct, and cost effective, ways to make progress toward meeting Scotland child poverty targets.' Read more: Teenage girl who died of cancer had urgent referral downgraded due to her age John Swinney 'intervened to stop Michael Matheson standing for Holyrood again' Sandie Peggie demands nursing union intervenes in NHS Fife single-sex spaces row It has been estimated by think tank the Resolution Foundation that 470,000 children across the UK would be lifted out of poverty if the benefit cap was removed. Education Secretary Ms Phillipson, however, said abolishing the limit would be costly. The UK Government's child poverty strategy, which was due to be published in the spring, has been delayed until the autumn so it can be aligned with Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget. Ms Phillipson confirmed the UK Government was 'certainly' looking at removing the cap, with an official spokesman for the Prime Minister later stating: 'We've been very clear that we're not going to rule anything out when it comes to tackling child poverty, and the ministerial task force is considering all available levers to give every child the best start in life as part of our strategy.' In a move that will only pile the pressure on the UK Government, Mr Farage said on Monday scrapping it was 'the right thing to do' to make life easier for low-paid workers. The Scottish Government has ruled out increasing the Scottish Child Payment, claiming it would deter parents from entering employment. Official documents seen by The Herald, however, confirmed the Scottish Government held no evidence on this claim. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'The evidence is clear – the UK Government must do the right thing and scrap the two-child cap in full. 'Tinkering around with piecemeal exemptions and time limits is not going to cut it. Families across the UK have waited long enough for this appalling policy to be scrapped and the Prime Minister has to act now. 'As the Resolution Foundation has noted, ending both the two-child limit and the benefit cap are the bare minimum required for a credible strategy to reduce child poverty. 'That is why the Scottish Government invests to protect people from the benefit cap and has committed to effectively scrapping the impact of the two-child cap in 2026. 'The First Minister has been clear that if the UK Government does the right thing and abolishes the cap, the resources we have committed to this policy will continue to be used on measures to eradicate child poverty in Scotland.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Almost 25,000 children in North Lanarkshire supported by Scottish Child Payment
The relative child poverty rate in Scotland is four percentage points lower than it would be without the policy in place. Almost 25,000 children and young people in North Lanarkshire were supported by the Scottish Child Payment at the end of March. A total of 24,935 kids in the local authority area received the Scottish Child Payment at the end of March. However, the relative child poverty rate in Scotland is four percentage points lower than it would be without the policy in place. And a Lanarkshire SNP MSP has urged the Labour UK Government to roll out the Scottish Child Payment model UK wide. Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: 'Under John Swinney's leadership, the SNP has made eradicating child poverty its number one priority – with Scotland the only part of the UK where child poverty is expected to fall as a direct result of SNP policies. 'The Scottish Child Payment has been hailed by anti-poverty charities for the impact it has had. 'In contrast, Labour is cutting social security support for sick and disabled people and they continue to dither on the two child cap which is a huge driver of child poverty. 'We need action from Labour. Are they going to ditch the two-child cap, or leave it to the SNP to step in again? Are they going to reinstate the winter fuel payment, as the SNP has done? 'People deserve those answers but it seems Labour leaders will just waffle on while people are struggling. 'Keir Starmer's focus is on pandering to Nigel Farage and his empty populism. But the SNP is always focused on standing up for Scotland and its people.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
