SNP SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PUTTING REAL CASH INTO THE POCKETS OF THE LEAST WELL OFF

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 Natalie Don 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.”