Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 is a “landmark intervention” in the Scottish Government’s drive to tackle the root causes of child poverty and increase living standards.
Around £8 billion has been earmarked for the social justice portfolio, boosting support for vulnerable people and low-income families. This includes plans to:
- introduce a new premium element of the Scottish Child Payment in 2027-28, raising weekly payments for eligible parents of children under the age of one to £40 per child, benefitting around 12,000 children
- create a new £50 million package to boost whole family support. This will further enhance existing support and will include help with transport, skills, and commits £20 million for third sector partners to deliver the support that people need in their communities
- increase the Tackling Child Poverty Fund from £12.5 million to £61.5 million in 2026-27
- invest £7.2 billion in social security, supporting disabled people, unpaid carers, those on low incomes and others, while also providing help with energy bills
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met parents in receipt of any of the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, yesterday (Thursday 15 January) at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project in Edinburgh, and said:
“Eradicating child poverty is this government’s driving mission – no child should have their prospects hindered by circumstances beyond their control.
“This Budget is a landmark intervention in our work to tackle the root causes of poverty and reduce the pressure on household finances – from increased support for Scotland’s newest parents, to new initiatives to help increase household incomes and ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
“With more than £330 million committed across three years to our Tackling Child Poverty Fund and to investment in Whole Family Support, we are laying the groundwork to drive continued progress in the year ahead, breaking the cycle of poverty in Scotland for good.”
