A PAYMENT for families with new babies has marked its first birthday.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville visited One Parent Families Scotland in Glasgow to celebrate the first year of the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment.

Since its launch in December 2018 to September, families with children up to six months old have received £7.7 million.

Ms Somerville met parents who were some of the first to receive the grant 12 months ago. 

One Parent Families Scotland has worked closely in collaboration with the Scottish Government to ensure single parents have been able to access the scheme which has made a vital contribution to help cover the costs of a new baby and during the important early years of their children’s development.   

Glasgow Times:

Satwat Rehman,  One Parent Families Scotland director, said: “The earliest years of life are vital to a child’s development and affect inequalities in health, education and employment opportunities later in life. We know that single-parent families are disproportionately affected by child poverty and the Best Start Grant payments are often a crucial lifeline.

"One Parent Families Scotland has supported parents to take part in the development of the Best Start Grant all the way through to the launch last year and we are pleased to have helped hundreds of parents access the grant and reduce money-related stress. For families who are juggling with the costs of supporting a young child at Christmas, we would encourage them to get their application in today.”

Ms Somerville added: “It’s a pleasure to mark the first birthday of the Best Start Grant, the first application-based benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland. 

“We want to ensure that every child has the best start in life, and the Best Start grants help do just that, providing vital financial support to thousands of families across Scotland.”