Campaigners gathered at Holyrood

Campaigners say the Scottish Government must act on its commitment to a minimum income guarantee (MIG) for care leavers taking up modern apprenticeships.

Young people with care experience and sector leaders gathered at the Scottish Parliament to discuss a proposal which would involve running a pilot project.

The initiative, developed in partnership with Staf (formerly Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum), Aberlour Children’s Charity and people with care experience, aims to tackle the financial insecurity many young care leavers face.

Campaigners say leaving care should be the start of independence, but for many young people, it means stepping into financial uncertainty with no safety net.

Unlike their peers, young people moving on from care often have no family support, making it harder to afford basic essentials, stay in education or build a stable future.

Jeanette Miller, who has experience of the care system, said: “Young people told us his pilot isn’t just a project - it’s a promise that care leavers matter, that we deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. And as someone who’s been through it, I know it has the power to transform lives.

“A MIG means we wouldn’t have to choose between rent and food. It means we could actually focus on building our future, instead of just surviving.

“We call on the Scottish Government to act on its commitment to a MIG by piloting a targeted scheme for care leavers in modern apprenticeships.

“This is an opportunity to ‘Keep The Promise’ and ensure no young person moving on from care is left behind.”