New package of support for parents
New support for parents to increase their incomes and reduce the burden of everyday costs, on top of existing work, will help to keep approximately 100,000 children out of poverty in 2026-27. More than £111 million is being committed to updated plans to eradicate child poverty through Bringing Hope, Building Futures. It builds on existing Scottish Government action which has already reduced relative child poverty rates in Scotland to the lowest levels […]
Families freed from school meal debt
More than 70,000 instances of support were provided to families to clear historic school meal debt as a result of nearly £2.9 million investment, a new report shows. The School Meal Debt Fund, launched in May 2024, was distributed to the 30 councils that applied for assistance to clear debt accrued by families up to […]
Scotland meets CAMHS waiting times commitment
Scotland has met its Programme for Government commitment on specialist children’s mental health waiting times, with new statistics confirming that 90% of children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) started treatment within 18 weeks of referral by the December 2025 target date. The Scottish Government has invested significantly in […]
Free Universal Learn-to-Swim Offer for Primary School Children
Primary children will have the chance to learn to swim as the Scottish Government capitalises on the forthcoming “spectacular summer of sport”. The rollout of the National Primary School Swimming Framework, a universal offer to primary aged children, is part of a package of measures to get people more active, inspired by the Glasgow 2026 […]
Local anti-poverty and cost of living initiatives set for cash boost
A total of 21 projects that pilot approaches to help to eradicate child poverty and boost incomes will be backed by almost £1.9 million across Scotland. Through the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, 19 regions will benefit from new projects designed to support communities with the cost of living. This includes: Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty, supporting families and giving children the best start in life are the guiding principles of this government. That’s why we are investing in […]
Clarifying the law on Religious Observance at school
Schools will now need to inform pupils when a request is made by a parent or carer to withdraw them from religious observance and to consider any objection the young person may have, under legislation backed by MSPs. The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill was passed in […]
Boost to Scottish Child payment set to support 12,000 children
Scottish Child Payment has supported more than 241,000 parents and carers since its launch five years ago, helping put over £1.3 billion into the pockets of low-income families. An increase to the payment for children under one will be introduced during 2027/28, estimated to benefit around 12,000 children and could be worth an extra £500 […]
Additional investment for neurodevelopmental support
Children, young people and their families will benefit from £3.4 million of additional investment to improve access to neurodevelopmental support. This brings investment in neurodevelopmental supports and services this year to more than £5 million, providing earlier help for families and ensuring people can access support that meets their needs. More than £1 million is […]
Delivering Additional Support for Learning
A national review into the provision of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) will be led by former Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland Janie McManus. Announcing the appointment to Parliament, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said Ms McManus will lead an expert group to examine how to strengthen delivery, including provision in schools and how policy […]
A Budget to Tackle Child Poverty
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: Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met parents in receipt of any of the Five […]
Expansion of Breakfast Clubs
New funding will allow every primary pupil in Scotland to access a breakfast club, the First Minister has said. The Scottish Budget will provide an additional £15 million in 2026-27 to expand breakfast club provision and help schools, councils and third sector partners prepare for the introduction of universal breakfast club services by August 2027. […]
£10m Emergency Support for Families
More support will be available to families and households to help cover the cost of life’s essentials and to deal with emergencies. First Minister John Swinney has confirmed that £10 million originally earmarked in 2025-26 to support the two-child limit mitigation payment in Scotland will be reallocated to tackling child poverty. The majority of the […]