From Financial help for starting primary school published 01 June 2026, getting press coverage but being ignored by BBC Scotland:

Families across Scotland can now apply for over £330 to help with the costs of preparing for primary school, as applications for Best Start Grant School Age Payment open today (1 June 2026).

The payment, unique to Scotland, is available to eligible families with children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. It is designed to ease the financial pressures that come with a child starting primary one and can be spent on anything families need – from clothes and stationery to school trips.

Whether a family can receive the payment depends on the child’s age and when they are first old enough to start primary school, typically between 4 and 5 years.

Importantly, families do not need to wait until their child starts school to apply. Those who are deferring their child’s start date, or whose child will not be attending school, are still eligible and must apply before applications close on 28 February 2027.

Families receiving Scottish Child Payment who are eligible for School Age Payment should get an automated payment and do not need to apply.

Full eligibility details and how to apply visit – https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods

Source: https://www.gov.scot/news/financial-help-for-starting-primary-school/

While the media operating in Scotland are covering this, they’re leaving one wee detail out. Yes ‘unique to Scotland.’