“This move – to double December’s bridging payment – is another good move by the Scottish Government to tackle child poverty and has already been welcomed by child poverty organisations,” said Natalie Don MSP.

Families of around 145,000 children will benefit from extra support this winter to help with cost of living pressures – backed by Scottish Government investment of £18.9 million.

Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6 – 15-year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment, due in December, will now be doubled to £260, meaning families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year.

All children registered to receive free school meals on the basis of family low income are eligible and will receive this payment automatically. Total Scottish Government funding for the Bridging Payments will increase to an estimated £169million across 2021 and 2022.

This is in addition to the Scottish Child Payment which will be extended to all eligible under-16s from 14th November and will rise to £25 per child per week on the same date – a 150% increase in the benefit within eight months.

Natalie Don MSP added:

“The Scottish Child Payment is paid to eligible families and is unique in the United Kingdom – no other government has introduced such a payment. From an initial £10 per week per eligible child under 6, from November 14th, it will increase to £25 per week, per child and will also extend to families with children up to age 16.

“With winter coming we still need to do more, and I am delighted that the First Minister has announced that the Scottish Government will double the December Bridging Payment to £260.

“The Tory-created Cost of Living Crisis is affecting families and individuals all across my constituency and we know this winter is going to be really tough. Hopefully this additional payment will go some way to helping those in most need.

Scotland is the only nation in the UK offering the Scottish Child Payment, one of five family benefits delivered by the Scottish Government to support low income parents with the costs of raising a child. Scottish Child Payment is currently available to families of eligible children under 6 years old and will open to applications for under 16s from 14 November.

Information on support for households is available at gov.scot/costoflivingsupport

Natalie Don MSP is holding a Cost of Living surgery on Friday 14th October (10am – 1pm) in Renfrew Town Hall, for local constituents. It is a free, drop-in event, with no appointment needed to attend and will have a number of agencies there to provide support and advice including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Advice Works, Home Energy Scotland and Social Security Scotland.