Humza Yousaf has given an “absolute assurance” take up rates for the Scottish Child Payment will rise.
The Record revealed over 60,000 kids may miss out on the targeted benefit this year.
Although around 370,000 children will be eligible for the payment, forecasts suggest only 309,000 children will benefit.
After being quizzed about the disparity by Labour MSP Paul O’Kane, the First Minister said:
“This is a key area of focus for the Government. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and I have had a conversation already.
"There is already good work being undertaken in relation to marketing and awareness, to make sure that we do everything we possibly can so that every single person that is eligible for that game-changing intervention does take it up.”
He added: “I can give Paul O'Kane an absolute assurance we are working hard to do what we can to continue to raise awareness so that everybody who is eligible can take up that game-changing Scottish Child Payment.”
The biggest gap is 6-15 year olds, where only 80 per cent of 257,000 children in this age cohort will take it up.
The take up rate for under 6s is estimated to be 92 per cent this year.
The SCP, a targeted benefit introduced by the Scottish Parliament, is worth £25 a week for every eligible child or £1,300 a year.
O’Kane said: ““he First minister says he is aware of this disparity and I welcome his assurance that the Scottish Government are focusing on increasing awareness of the Scottish Child payment”
“The best indicator that his government are making progress will be to see that gap between those who are eligible and those who are actually receiving the payment close and I’ll be watching the actions his government are taking to achieve that”
“Humza Yousaf shouldn’t just rely on better marketing and awareness but work towards making the Scottish Child Payment automated so that families who are entitled definitely receive the payment”
“It would quite simply be scandalous to let the Scottish Child Payment pass by thousands of families who really can’t afford to miss out on receiving that extra support.”
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