BEST START GRANT TO COME INTO FORCE FOR CHRISTMAS

Published date : 21 Nov 2018

LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES IN MID FIFE AND GLENROTHES TO BENEFIT FROM EARLY PAYMENT

MSP Jenny Gilruth has welcomed the announcement that the first payments of the Best Start Grant will be delivered to families in Mid Fife and Glenrothes in time for Christmas.

The Best Start Grant – which provides low-income families with financial support during the early years of a child’s life – will see eligible applicants receive £600 for their first child, £100 more than the UK government’s equivalent in England.

Best Start Grants replace and expand on the UK Government’s Sure Start Maternity Grant by providing eligible families with £600 on the birth of their first child and £300 on the birth of any subsequent children.

MSP Jenny Gilruth said:

“I am delighted that families in Mid Fife and Glenrothes will be eligible for their first payments of the Best Start Grant in time for Christmas. These new payments will ensure that our under 5’s get the best possible start in life.

“It’s vital that the government can provide help at a time when families in Mid Fife and Glenrothes are seeing UK government social security support drastically reduced, and Universal Credit is causing hardship across Scotland.

“By reversing and mitigating the UK government’s cuts that have been so damaging to families in Mid Fife and Glenrothes, and ensuring that we support those on the lowest incomes, the government is building a social security system based on dignity and respect.

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