An income supplement should be introduced now, says coalition

Children’s charities, anti-poverty groups, academics and church leaders want the Scottish Government to use its budget to urgently help families struggling to get by.

The calls were made in a letter to Derek Mackay MSP, cabinet secretary for finance, coordinated by the Give Me Five campaign, which urged ministers to respond to rising poverty rates by bringing forward the introduction of an income supplement, which is currently due to be introduced by 2022.

This is at a time when one million people in Scotland, including 230,000 children, are living in the grip of poverty.

The letter state that by introducing the income supplement through topping up child benefit, tens of thousands of children would immediately be lifted out of poverty.

Campaigners say this should be included in this Wednesday’s Scottish budget.

John Dickie, director of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland said: “This letter demonstrates the extraordinary breadth and depth of support across Scotland for an immediate boost to family incomes to help tackle the devastating hardship too many children are facing.

“The Scottish Government's commitment to an income supplement by 2022 is hugely welcome, but families who are struggling to put food on the table and pay the bills now really can’t wait that long.

“Along with faith groups, trade unions and children's charities we urge the Finance Secretary to prioritise financial support for families as a matter of urgency. A £5 top up to child benefit would be one way of lifting thousands of children out of poverty and protecting many more from the damage poverty wreaks.”

The Give Me Five campaign is a coalition of third sector, civic society and faith groups that is calling for the Scottish Government to top-up child benefit by £5 per week.