The Scottish government has announced that the December Bridging Payment will be doubled, so that families can be supported even more through the cost of living crisis.
It is estimated that the families of around 145,000 are to benefit from the additional support, thanks to the government’s investment off £18.9 million that will help ease some off the pressures introduced by the cost of living crisis that is gripping the UK at the moment. All children that are registered to receive free school meals on the basis of family low income are eligible for the payment, and will receive it automatically.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, said:
“I am proud of the work the Scottish Government is doing to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment is paid to eligible families and is unique in the United Kingdom. It started for under-6s at £10 per week per eligible child. In April we doubled it to £20. Five weeks from today we will increase it again, to £25 and will also extend it to families with children up to age 16.
“That is vital financial help for well over 100,000 children, delivered in time for Christmas. That is the sign of a government with the right priorities..
“But we need to do more because we know this winter is going to be really tough. Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it because they don’t know if they can’t afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.
“As part of our help to the poorest families over last year and this, ahead of rolling out the Scottish Government will double the December Payment from £130 to £260.
“That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all off their worries go away – no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.”
The total amount of Bridging Payment funding from the Scottish Government is due to increase to around £169 million across 2021 and 2022, alongside the extension of the Scottish Child Payment. This will be extended to all eligible under-16s, as well as increasing to £25 per child on the 14th November, a 150% increase.
