TEENAGE carers will be given grants worth £300 a year as part of a new package of support announced by the First Minister.

Grants will be awarded to those aged 16 to 18 who do at least 16 hours of caring a week and are still at school. The scheme is aimed at helping to support those who do not qualify for the Carer’s Allowance benefit, which is only available to over-16s who carry out at least 35 hours caring a week. The grants will be available from autumn 2019.

Those who qualify will also be eligible for free bus travel from 2020/21.

Meanwhile, work to add more entitlements and rewards for 11-18-year-old young carers to the Young Scot National Entitlement Card will start in April next year, with the scheme to be rolled out from April 2019.

Nicola Sturgeon said the measures would ensure young carers are treated “with the dignity and respect they deserve”.

Speaking during a visit to the Edinburgh Young Carers Project, she said:

“Young carers make an invaluable contribution to society. The additional grant and free bus travel, along with new legislation and our ambitious changes to the social security system, will help ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The Scottish Government has listened to Greens by providing financial support for thousands of young people providing substantial care that does not meet the 35-hour threshold.”