OVER 24,000 children in Fife are currently benefitting from the Scottish Child Payment.

Latest figures have revealed that over £27m of support has been paid out to families in the Kingdom since the support was introduced.

Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing said the statistics show the "significant impact" the payments have had since being introduced in February 2021.

"The payment of £25 per week, available to eligible children under the age of 16, is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure to be implemented in the UK and one of five family payments available from the Scottish Government which provide regular financial support to low-income families," she said.

“I am very conscious that with the Tory-made cost of living crisis continuing to affect households across my Cowdenbeath constituency, families will face challenges, with many struggling to make ends meet, particularly as we head into winter with heating costs so high. The Scottish Child Payment will therefore be even more vital.

“Having increased the Scottish Child Payment by 150 per cent since its introduction and expanded eligibility to under 16s, it is clear the SNP Scottish Government is determined to use the powers it has available to it to tackle child poverty and support Scotland’s most vulnerable families.

“The profound impact of the Scottish Child Payment, in the face of both Westminster parties' pursuit of cruel policies and cuts, perfectly demonstrates the need for Scotland to have the full welfare and tax powers of an independent country, free from the restrictive control of Westminster.

“Only with independence can we really build a fairer and more prosperous country."

The figures show that at the end of June this year, a total of 24,305 children in Fife were actively benefitting from the Scottish Child Payment with a total of £27,141,225 having been paid since the payment was introduced.