Scottish benefits are easing the cost-of-living burden for
families according to a new evaluation.
The Scottish Centre for Social Research surveyed people in
receipt of any of the Five Family Payments, a group of benefits
designed to tackle poverty and to improve household finances.
Findings show the payments have a positive impact on recipients'
overall finances and have helped to reduce material deprivation
and food insecurity for low-income families. The majority of
Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods recipients agreed the
payments meant they did not need foodbanks.
Feedback also shows the majority of Best Start Foods recipients,
who receive a pre-paid card to purchase healthy food, reported
that the card enabled their families to have healthy meals more
frequently.
Other impacts include a reduction to household debt and borrowing
and more children being able to undertake extra-curricular
activities, like sport, music or drama.
Recipients also commented that the automatic payment system
reduces worry and stress.
Social Justice Secretary met some impacted
families at Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh.
Ms Somerville said:
“We want every child to have the best start in life, but we
recognise that the cost of living continues to have a negative
impact on families across the country.
“It is a moral imperative to offer the best support we can, and
I'm pleased that this work found an array of positive, meaningful
impacts.
“But we are not letting up. We know there is more to do, which is
why, as an example, we are launching the new Two Child Limit
Payment in March, which will benefit the families of 43,000
children next year.
“And in the face of challenging economic headwinds and cuts to
the UK welfare system, I want to reassure families that our
support will continue. No child, nor family, will be left behind
by the Scottish Government.”
One parent, Emma Hunter from Magdalene, said:
“We are so grateful for the support we received with the healthy
start vouchers, school uniforms and child payment. It has been
such a huge help in easing the financial burden of starting
a family and it has made a real difference to our lives."
Background
Evaluation report
The Five Family Payments include:
- the Scottish Child Payment, which is a weekly payment of
£27.15 for each eligible child under 16 years of age.
- the Best Start Grant includes three payments designed to
support families at different stages, including during pregnancy
and when a child starts school, including:
- the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, which is a payment of £767.50
on the birth of the first child and £383.75 on the birth of any
subsequent children
- the Early Learning Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per
child for children between 2 and 3.5 years old to support child
development
- the School Age Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per child
to help with the costs of preparing for school
- Best Start Foods, which is a prepaid card to buy healthy
foods for pregnant people and children under the age of three,
with a minimum payment of £5.40 a week.
