Best Start Foods payments are increasing this month marking the achievement of another commitment for the first 100 days of this government.

The payment supports low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three, and forms part of the Scottish Government’s national mission of eradicating child poverty.

Best Start Foods is part of a package of five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland. It is made every four weeks on a pre-paid card to buy healthy food including eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses. The payment is increasing to £18 from £17 during pregnancy and for any children between one and three years old. It’s also increasing to £36 from £34 for children under one.

Between December 2018 when the first payment started and 31 May 2021, £60.8 million has been paid to 179,575 families for Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods -£16.7 million of these payments were for Best Start Foods.

Christina McKelvie, MSP from Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse said:

"This is fantasic news. Cuts from the UK Government, along with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have put emmense pressure on families with budgeting. 

"This was part of the Scottish Governments commitment to increase the Best Start Foods within the first 100 days. Eradicating child poverty is a priority of the Scottish Government.

"I know there will be many families in my constituency, and in Scotland which will benefit from this increased payment."