BEST START GRANT and BEST START FOODS: SNP support for families
As the school term ends, local SNP candidate Martyn Day has highlighted the significant support delivered to families through the Scottish Government’s Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments.
Since rollout, families in Falkirk have received 85,780 payments worth £6,208,520, while families in West Lothian have received 105,750 payments totalling £7,663,168. Across Scotland, more than 2.8 million payments have been made, with support now exceeding £207 million.
The Best Start Grant School Age Payment provides £314.45 to eligible families when their child starts primary school, helping with the cost of uniforms, shoes and essential school items. This sits alongside Best Start Foods, which provides ongoing help with the cost of healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood.
The SNP Government has also expanded free school meals to all primary 1–5 pupils, with the commitment to extend this to all primary pupils. Free school meals save families hundreds of pounds a year and ensure children receive a guaranteed nutritious lunch.
To ease the rising cost of uniforms, the SNP has increased the national minimum School Clothing Grant to £120 for primary and £150 for secondary pupils, delivered through councils to eligible families.
Commenting, Martyn Day said:
“The end of term is an exciting time for children, but it can stretch family budgets. I’m proud that the SNP Government has delivered payments to families here in Falkirk East and Linlithgow through the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. It’s direct support where it matters most.”
“From the Best Start Grant and school clothing support, to free school meals and the Scottish Child Payment, the SNP is taking practical, targeted action to help families and reduce child poverty.”
“While Westminster Labour austerity continues to squeeze household budgets, the SNP is using the powers of devolution to put money into the pockets of families in [AREA] and give every child the best possible start in life.”
