DON'T LET US DOWN,HUMZA

150 anti-poverty groups demand First Minister keeps his pledge to boost child payment

- PAUL HUTCHEON

MORE than 150 antipoverty groups have demanded Humza Yousaf keep his vow of increasing a “lifeline” payment to struggling families. 

He promised to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £30 during the leadership contest.

Now, campaigners, trade union leaders and charities have urged the First Minister to deliver.

Yousaf said child poverty would be a priority for him in office and that he would increase the SCP, which goes to under-16s in low-income families, from £25 a week to £30 in his first budget.

However, some figures in the anti-poverty sector believe his government has since gone quiet on the issue.

Yousaf’s announcement of a council tax freeze will cost hundreds of millions and money will be tight. The groups have now written to Yousaf, stating: “Families have been facing inflation rates that haven’t been seen for decades – with costs still rising, and low-income households worst affected.