For immediate release:

MSP ENCOURAGES TAKE UP OF BEST START GRANT WHICH COMES INTO FORCE FOR CHRISTMAS

MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed the announcement that the first payments of the Best Start Grant will be delivered to families in Rutherglen and Cambuslang in time for Christmas.

The Best Start Grant – which provides low-income families with financial support during the early years of a child’s life – will see eligible applicants receive £600 for their first child, £100 more than the equivalent in England.

The newly established agency, Social Security Scotland, will begin accepting applications for the Best Start Grant (BSG) Pregnancy and Baby Payment from 10 December 2018. The Agency will be taking applications via it’s freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222, by post or online at http://www.mygov.scot/pregnancy-and-baby-grant.

This means the first payments of this new benefit will be made before Christmas 2018.

Best Start Grants replace and expand on the UK Government’s Sure Start Maternity Grant by providing eligible families with £600 on the birth of their first child and £300 on the birth of any subsequent children.

Commenting, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said:

“I am delighted that families in Rutherglen and Cambuslang will be eligible for their first payments of the Best Start Grant in time for Christmas. These new payments will ensure that our under 5’s get the best possible start in life.

“I support the Scottish Government’s commitment to maximising uptake for the Best Start Grant and I will be working to promote the benefit to local families who may qualify so that as many children as possible can benefit from a payment.

“At this time of year, many face added financial pressures and I am sure the Pregnancy and Baby Payment will help ease some of that burden for families with new-borns.”

ENDS

Notes:

Please find attached a letter from Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People on the 21st November regarding the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment.

Date published: 22nd November 2018