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From the Scottish Government today:

On Young Carers Action Day (13 March) teenagers who look after others are being urged find out if they’re eligible for a grant available only in Scotland. 

Since being introduced in 2019 by the Scottish Government, Young Carer Grant has delivered over £3 million to over 6,600 teenage carers.    

However a leading carers charity says many young people who look after others do not recognise themselves as carers, as they see the support they give as just part of family life. As a result, they do not know they’re entitled to benefits. 

Scottish Government figures suggest around 25% of those eligible for Young Carer Grant in 2022-23 did not apply.  

The Carers Trust has joined Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville to urge teenagers who look after others to recognise their vital caring role and to apply for the support available to them. 

Young Carers Grant, paid by Social Security Scotland, is available to those aged 16-18 who spend 16 or more hours a week looking after someone who gets a disability benefit. 

Teen carers urged to apply for Scottish benefit – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

STV, the Record and Sun have covered the story. BBC Scotland, the taxpayer-funded public service broadcaster with a royal charter (above) requiring it to inform, has not.

What’s not to like in the story?

‘A grant available only in Scotland?’

John Beattie says we can’t have that whataboutery as he rejoices in new drug death statistics.

Talking-up Scotland costs nothing so donate to our friends at  https://www.broadcastingscotland.scot/donate/ or take out a subscription to the Scots Independent newspaper in which I have a column, at: https://scotsindependent.scot/FWShop/product-category/subscriptions/