Natalie Don MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s Budget announcement today which confirmed a range of targeted measures aimed at supporting low income families in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West hailed the Scottish Budget commitments prioritising tackling inequalities and helping to reduce increasing financial pressures being experienced by the poorest people in communities, including the following pledges:
More than £4 billion in social security and welfare payments, supporting low income families, carers and disabled people - including £41 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund and £80.2 million in Discretionary Housing Payments.
Nearly £200 million will go directly to lift children across Scotland out of poverty, including the doubling of the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per week.
Over £72 million to expand free school lunches for all children in P1-5 and support the infrastructure to roll-out lunches to all primary children.
£200 million for the Scottish Attainment Challenge as part of the SNP's commitment to provide £1 billion to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap.
£544 million to deliver free funded early learning and childcare for three and four year olds, and two year olds from lower income households.
Natalie Don MSP welcomes the Scottish Government’s targeted measures aimed at supporting low income families in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
Natalie Don MSP said: “While the out-of-touch Westminster Tory government continues to hammer the most vulnerable people in our communities and plunges families into poverty, I am pleased to see the SNP Government is taking important steps in providing much-needed support for low income families in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been exceptionally difficult for many people, it has been particularly devastating for families with the lowest incomes so I welcome this Scottish Government’s Budget’s targeted approach towards reducing inequalities by helping those who need supported most, as the SNP continues our national mission to eradicate child poverty.
“Whilst Boris Johnson stumbles from one crisis to another, the Scottish Government is getting on with the job of providing security and stability for the poorest people in our society and this Budget shows exactly why we need full powers over all social security decisions in the Scottish Parliament.
“It is no surprise to see independence becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for more and more people in Scotland when the stark differences between the Westminster and Holyrood governments becomes clearer by the day.”
For more details about the Scottish Budget, go to www.gov.scot/budget