Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised the Cost of Living Crisis in Parliament highlighting the impact on Scotland’s Social Security, particularly in relation to child poverty.
Fiona asked the Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Ben MacPherson MSP, about the implications of the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review in relation to its planned programme of social security benefits. Fiona highlighted that the cost of living crisis will hit families the hardest and that tackling child poverty must be the main focus of all Governments.
The Minister highlighted the Scottish Government’s investment of over £4.2 billion in benefit expenditure in 2022/23. This package of support will provide assistance to over one million people in Scotland including; low income families and households, disabled people and carers.
Additionally, the Minister outlined an almost £770 million investment this year through a package of cost of living support measures and social security support which is not available elsewhere in the UK.
Commenting after General Question Time, Fiona said,
“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has placed tackling child poverty and supporting households and businesses with the cost of living as a key priority area in relation to its Spending Review.
“Measures such as increasing the Scottish Child Payment from £10 to £25 and expanding eligibility for it by the end of this year, providing universal free school meals to primary school children in P1-5 and expanding provision beyond that and investing £22.9 billion for social security assistance, shows the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty, mitigating pressures within the scope of devolved powers and budgets.
“Of course, there will be challenges but we cannot afford to let the UK Government’s inaction hold us back from building a better society, particularly for children in need .”
NOTES
Link to the Official Record from this meeting of Parliament: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-09-06-2022?meeting=13809
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