“Removing income thresholds will mean that around 30,000 additional people who receive tax credits or certain benefits will be able to receive Best Start Foods by the end of financial year 2023-24,” said Natalie Don MSP (SNP – Renfrewshire North & West), commenting on the SNP Scottish Government’s plan to remove all income thresholds from Best Start Foods by 2023/24, as part of the second Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – ‘Best Start, Bright Futures’.

This change will increase eligibility to all people in receipt of a qualifying benefit. As a result, an additional 30,000 people are expected to benefit from Best Start Foods.

Best Start Foods is delivered via a prepaid card and provides £18 every four weeks throughout pregnancy, £36 every four weeks from birth until a child turns one, then £18 every four weeks from one until a child turns three.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said:

“Tackling child poverty is a national mission for us. We continue to take the necessary steps to reach the ambitious targets set out in our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. Social security is one of the main pillars of this plan and will help us to deliver support directly into the pockets of those families who need it the most.”

Natalie Don MSP added:

“The cost of healthy food was already a pressure for parents and carers, and the cost of living increases are only making this more challenging. Removing the income thresholds for Best Start Foods will mean that around 30,000 additional people who receive tax credits or certain benefits will be able to receive Best Start Foods by the end of financial year 2023-24.”