Leading the fight against child poverty, Falkirk has set a benchmark for success, with recent Scottish Government data revealing the area boasts the highest rate of Scottish Child Payment uptake in Scotland.
As of November 2024, 94% of eligible low-income families in Falkirk are accessing this crucial support, compared to the national average of 89%.
The Scottish Child Payment, currently providing £26.70 per week for each eligible child, has been a lifeline for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
This progress is a testament to the collective efforts of the Council’s Community Advice Services teams, Advice and Support Hubs along with Citizens Advice Bureau.
These organisations’ efforts and campaigns to connect families with vital support have been instrumental in driving the uptake of benefits. It also reflects the Council’s strategic commitment to addressing poverty and embedding it as a core consideration across all services.
Falkirk Council’s Leader Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn said: “These results highlight the impact of making poverty everyone’s responsibility. While child poverty rates remain a challenge, increasing access to available support helps to ease the burden on families.
“Our teams and partners have worked tirelessly to make this happen, and I’m proud of their efforts.”
Looking ahead, the Council plans to further promote take-up of support for families early in 2025. This will build on the progress made and ensure more children and families get the help they need.