Plans to increase a key Scottish social security payment have been criticised by leading poverty campaigners who argue the move "falls far short" of what is needed to eradicate child poverty.
Budget Announcement and Immediate Criticism
During the Scottish Budget announcement on Tuesday 13 January 2026, Finance Secretary Shona Robison confirmed the Scottish child payment would rise from its current rate of £27.15 per week to £40. However, this increase is not scheduled to take effect until the 2027-28 financial year.
John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, responded swiftly, labelling the draft budget a wasted opportunity. He stated the proposed funding does not go far enough to build on recent progress.
"The promise to increase the Scottish child payment for babies under one is a positive step but won’t kick in for over a year, and even then leaves the vast majority of children without any additional financial support," Mr Dickie said.
Charities Divided on the Impact
The reaction from the third sector was mixed. While Save the Children welcomed the targeted support for babies, food bank charities highlighted the ongoing crisis for families with older children.
Claire Telfer, Head of Save the Children Scotland, said the organisation was "delighted" by the commitment, calling it the "bold action" needed to give every baby an equal start.
In contrast, Cara Hilton of the Trussell Trust urged the government to extend the £40 rate to all children, not just those under one. She pointed to their data showing a 7% rise in food bank parcels for families with children aged 12-16 over the past five years.
"Food bank need remains well above levels a decade ago," Ms Hilton warned, emphasising that many families still struggle to afford essentials.
The Road to 2030 Poverty Targets
Campaigners expressed deep concern about the looming 2030 child poverty targets. Mr Dickie argued that investment in the core Scottish child payment is the most straightforward and cost-effective way to protect family living standards.
He criticised the lack of a real-terms increase in social security support for the coming year and suggested that funds no longer needed for two-child limit payments could have been redirected to provide an immediate boost to family incomes.
"In short this is a Budget that will, in time, provide additional help for some struggling families, but which falls far short of what is needed to build a truly credible path toward eradicating child poverty," he concluded, calling on all political parties to outline more ambitious plans ahead of the Scottish election.
