Helping Families in West Lothian & Falkirk as Schools Go Back

As schools return, many families across West Lothian and Falkirk are benefiting from the Best Start Grant – School Age Payment, providing £314.45 towards the cost of school uniforms, bags, shoes, and other essentials.

This is in addition to the Best Start Foods payment card, which supports families with the cost of healthy food throughout the year.

The SNP Government has also expanded free school meals to all pupils in primary 1-5, with plans to extend this to all primary pupils in the lifetime of this parliament. Free school meals save families hundreds of pounds each year while ensuring every child has access to a healthy, nutritious lunch.

To help with the cost of uniforms, the SNP has increased the national minimum School Clothing Grant to at least £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils, available through local councils to eligible families.

This year, 8,370 families in West Lothian and Falkirk have received the Best Start payment — helping give local children the best possible start to the school year.