From the Scottish Government today:
The families of more than 316,000 under-16s were benefitting from Scottish Child Payment by the end of June this year, according to the latest official statistics.
New figures published today show the payment of £25 per week, which is unique in the UK, was reaching 316,190 – an increase of more than 13,000 compared to 31 March 2023.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission had forecast that the average take-up in 2023/24 would be 309,000.
The total amount going direct to lower income families is now more than £350 million since the payment was launched in February 2021.
The average time taken to process applications was 13 working days in June 2023 – down from 40 working days in March 2023.
The Scottish Government has twice increased the payment; first from £10 to £20 per week per child then £25 when it extended to include all eligible children under 16 in November last year.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
“Scottish Child Payment is one of our key measures in tackling child poverty. It is an important safety net and one of many actions we are taking in government to lift people out of poverty.
“These statistics show the payment is reaching more of the children and young people who need it most.
“While things are clearly moving in the right direction I would still encourage people to spread the word about all Scottish Government benefits.
“We want everyone who is eligible to apply.”
Scottish Child Payment reaches more than 316,000 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The Labour Party standing in Rutherglen and Hamilton West would abandon the Scottish Child Payment and virtually every of benefit for the poor.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Labour only care about getting elected, the days of them caring about the people have long gone, they’re in it for the money & prestige only nowadays.
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While accepting that they cannot afford to scrap the Two Child Benefit cap the Labour leadership will still prioritise filling the House of Horrors with more apparatchiks to collect £300 + per diem , plus subsidised drinks , meal , travel etc…
How many children living in poverty could be supported by Lord George FFS!’s expenses claim alone each year ?
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An Independent Scotland would end child poverty. Spending more on education healthcare and welfare. The most important policies for any prosperous, cohesive happy society. Instead of £Billions wasted on illegal wars, tax evasion, financial fraud, HS2, Hickley Point, etc. £13Billion+ a year over ten years decommissioning nuclear. Selective private education. Oxbridge funded 200 to 1 of all education funding. Losing £Billions on Brexit.
A cost of living crisis lowering living standards. Westminster Low growth and poor bad economic decisions. Westminster wasting Scottish revenues and resources. Borrowing and spending what they like in the rest of the UK. Scotland has to make repayments on monies not borrowed or spent in Scotland. The illegal Barnett formula.
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