Payment might be new but it is already not enough

Aberlour has added its voice to the chorus of campaigners calling for the new child payment to be doubled.

Chief executive SallyAnn Kelly has seen emergency assistance increase 1,400% during the pandemic.

She is now urging the public to back a petition to force the government’s hand to increase the allowance following May's Scottish election.

Kelly said: “We want to build a huge public petition so we can deliver it to the new Scottish Government — whatever colour of party they may be.

"We want as many people to sign the petition as possible to make sure we not only build back better from the pandemic, but build back fairer.”

The £10 per week per child benefit for low income families is due to begin for under six year olds next month.

Aberlour is part of the End Child Poverty coalition which is backing the call.

Kelly added: “We estimate that will cost between £170million-£200million which is a drop in the ocean to Scotland’s annual budget. We want families to do more than just survive — we want them to thrive.”

Single mum Haley, from Falkirk, has found it hard to keep her four-year-old daughter and baby girl fed and clothed. She has been given help from Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund with essentials such as food and baby clothes.

She reckons that doubling the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per week per child would give her a chance to provide for her children properly.

She said: “It would make a massive difference to the girls and me. The cost of living is going up all the time and just knowing that we could afford everyday essentials, without having to rely on charities, would be so good.”