OPFS welcomes increase in bridging payments

10/10/2022

News

In May 2021 , the Scottish Child Payment was rolled out to children under 6 whose parents are in receipt of Universal Credit and other qualifying benefits. It started at £10 per week and increased to £20 per week this April.

The payment will be rolled out to those aged 6-15 on November 14th 2022, when the payment for all eligible children will increase to £25 per week.

In the meantime, the Scottish Government has paid quarterly ‘bridging payments’ for children in this age group of £130 (the equivalent of £10 per week), available to those who are in receipt of Free School Meals.

The First Minister announced today that the final instalment of these payments will be doubled to £260. This follows campaigning from children’s and anti-poverty charities including One Parent Families Scotland.

Marion Davis One Parent Families Scotland’s Director of Policy, Communications and Strategy Marion Davis said:

“We’re very pleased by the First Minister’s announcement that the final Scottish Child Payment bridging payment for children aged 6 and over will be doubled to £260.

“The Scottish Government has listened to what low-income parents have been telling us – and many organisations across Scotland – about the urgency of increased financial support to protect their families from hardship.

“This winter is going to be extremely difficult for single parent families, and this support will be a lifeline for many. We sincerely hope the UK Government will take a similar approach in the upcoming autumn budget.”

First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced the payments would be made to eligible families in the next few weeks.