More than 52,000 children across Glasgow City are currently receiving the Scottish Child Payment, a vital financial support designed to assist families with essential costs. As of December 31, 2025, a total of 52,875 children in the area were benefiting from the weekly sum, which helps cover expenses for food, clothing, and activities that support health and wellbeing.
The payment currently provides £27.15 per week for each eligible child under the age of 16. Plans are in place to increase this amount to £28.20 from April 2026. Further enhancements are anticipated for 2027/28, when the payment is set to rise to £40 per week for children under one.
This specific increase for the youngest beneficiaries is projected to support approximately 12,000 children across Scotland, potentially offering families an additional £500 per year for each eligible child. The Scottish Child Payment is a key initiative from Social Security Scotland, the national public service.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary, highlighted the payment’s significance in combating poverty.
Scottish Child Payment forms part of the best cost of living support package in the UK. It has helped ease the pressure on thousands of family budgets and is playing a key role in ensuring Scotland is the only part of the UK to see relative poverty rates fall.
The Secretary further emphasised the long-term benefits of the Scottish Government’s family support initiatives.
Scottish Child Payment, and our other family payments, could be worth around £25,000 by a child’s 16th birthday, compared with less than £2,000 in England and Wales, where support ends at age four. Our package of family support demonstrates the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to eradicating child poverty and providing children in Scotland with the best start in life.
The ongoing commitment to social justice in Scotland is a key pillar of government policy, reflecting a broader dedication to improving lives across the nation. This focus on domestic welfare runs parallel to Scotland’s engagement with international issues, such as marking significant anniversaries of global conflicts.
Angie Bird, a campaigner and single mother of two, shared her personal experience with the payment, illustrating its practical impact on families.
As a single parent, Scottish Child Payment is making a real difference to my family. It means I can afford opportunities that would otherwise be a struggle to pay for, like gymnastics for my youngest, and the local water sports for my eldest daughter. The skills my children are gaining from these activities are helping to broaden their horizons beyond our day-to-day life to give them the chance they deserve. What I value most is that the financial support gives families like mine the opportunity to choose what will benefit our children, rather than being limited to a set list of services, it’s a boost that helps us remove financial obstacles to make our lives better.
The support aims to remove financial obstacles, allowing children to participate in activities that broaden their horizons. This dedication to fostering wellbeing extends to various areas, including animal welfare, as demonstrated by the Scottish SPCA’s appeals for essential items during harsh weather. These efforts collectively contribute to a more supportive environment across Scottish communities.
The Scottish Child Payment is a cornerstone of the Scottish Government’s wider strategy to tackle child poverty. More information on these policies can be found on the Scottish Government’s official website.
The ongoing efforts to provide children with the best start in life reflect a full approach to public service in Scotland. This commitment extends to ensuring public safety and efficient urban infrastructure, exemplified by responses to incidents like a rush-hour collision in Edinburgh. These varied initiatives underscore a broad focus on societal wellbeing and strong community support.
Source: Glasgow Times
