GIVE £100 TO YOUNG PARENTS IN POVERTY

Coalition of campaigners demand extra child payment cash to help struggling under-25s

- PAUL HUTCHEON

A COALITION of campaigners is calling on the Scottish to give a Government £100-a-month benefit top-up to struggling young parents.

The groups believe the boost to the Scottish Child Payment is necessary to combat staggering" poverty levels.

Under-25s receive a lower level of Universal Credit as a result of UK Government rules even if their circumstances are the same.

It means young parents are about £100 worse off a month while single parents are penalised £65 a month.

Over 50 per cent of kids with a mum under 25 are estimated to be in relative poverty and 49 per cent are in absolute poverty.