New benefit pays out £3.5 million in first three months

Nearly 10,000 low income families across Scotland got help from the new Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby payment, official statistics show. 

Payments were made to 2,300 families who have had their first child, according to the first published data for the new benefit. Payments were also made to 7,300 families who had a child already and have now welcomed a new-born into their household – families who would have received nothing under the previous UK Government scheme.

In the entire 2017/18 financial year, the UK Government paid out a total of £2 million of Sure Start Maternity Grant Payments in Scotland, compared with £3.5 million, which has been paid in the first three months of the Scottish Government’s Pregnancy and Baby Payment.

Families in every part of Scotland have benefitted.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These statistics show what we can do with our social security powers to support families across the country. I am delighted that three quarters of the payments were for families who just wouldn’t have got this vital financial support under the previous UK Government scheme.

“I am committed to making sure that every child gets the support they need to have the best start in life. The huge take-up of this new benefit in its first three months highlights just what can be achieved when you design a service with the people who will actually use it. In doing so, we have simplified the application process and offered multiple ways to apply.

“We have found out where we need to promote the payment and who we need to work with – including health and childcare professionals – to make sure that people know that they are entitled.

“We will build on the success of Pregnancy and Baby Payment with the new Early Learning Payment (launched yesterday). This, along with the final Best Start Grant School Age Payment that opens on 3 June, will contribute towards making Scotland the best place for a child to grow up.

“We want to increase financial support to families, bringing equality to children across Scotland by giving them help towards a fairer start.”