Low-income households across Scotland have been supported by more
than £200m of social security payments in the last financial year
and part of 2022.
Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
show that those on the lowest incomes received £206.85m of
support in the 2021/22 financial year and part of 2022.
A breakdown of the figures shows how the Scottish Child Payment
is putting extra cash in the pockets of families across Scotland.
Combining 2021/22 financial year and part 2022 figures families
were as follows:
- £108.19m from the Scottish Child Payment
- £13.22m from the Best Start Grants
- £4.01m of Winter Heating Assistance
- Young jobseekers received £850,000 from the
Job Start Payment
- Young carers were supported by £730,000 from
the Young Carer Grant
Commenting, SNP MSP said:
“Scotland continues to build a social security system based on
fairness, dignity and respect, but does so with one hand tied
behind its back by an austerity obsessed Westminster government.
The only way we can build a fairer Scotland is with
independence.
“Thousands of households across Scotland are suffering from this
Tory-made cost of living crisis, but the SNP Scottish Government
is doing all it can with the powers at its disposal to provide a
social security system that puts extra cash in their pockets.
“By introducing the child payment, which has been described as
‘game-changing’ by anti-poverty charities, the SNP Scottish
Government has provided a safety net for thousands.
“However, this good work is undermined by the Tory UK government
who have cut Universal Credit and are making even deeper cuts to
household budgets.
“Labour offers no alternative either as the economic damage of
Brexit will continue if they get into power. They will not take
Scotland back into the EU, despite Scotland overwhelmingly
rejecting Brexit.
“The only way for Scotland to escape the chaos of Westminster and
build a fairer, more equal country is by becoming
independent.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Research from SPICe
Scotland only benefits. £m
2021-22 2021-22
2022-23 FULL YEAR 2022 PART YEAR
forecast
actual forecast
actual
Best Start Grant - early years 4
£3.97 8
£1.86 to end aug 22
Best Start Grant - school age 4
£4.49 6
£2.90 to end aug 22
Scottish Child Payment 55
£55.08 204
£53.11 to end Sept 22
Carer's Allowance Supplement 59
£59.30 44
£20.10 april eligibility
Child Winter Heating Assistance 5
£4.01 4 n/a
not paid out yet this winter
Job Start Payment n/a
£0.85 n/a
£0.15 to end Sept 22
Young Carer Grant n/a
£0.73 n/a
£0.30 to end july 22
