PARENTS across Scotland are being urged to apply for a "game-changing" new child benefit which will be rolled out across the country next year, with applications opening this month.

The Scottish Child Payment “will be a valuable source of additional support” and is being brought in to tackle child poverty and help families struggling as a “direct result of the pandemic”, Nicola Sturgeon said.

The scheme will eventually pay £10 a week to eligible families for each child they have under the age of 16.

It was due to be up and running by the end of this year, but was delayed because of coronavirus. Payments are now due to start being made in February 2021.

Initially families with children under the age of six are asked to apply, with payments due to be fully rolled out by the end of 2022.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Scottish Government was expecting “significant demand” for the payment, so applications are being opened “early, from Monday November 9”.

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Somerville added: “The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK.

"A great deal of effort has gone into creating this payment - including overcoming the impact of coronavirus on plans and work schedules to ensure we get money to the families who need it."

When the payment was first announced last year, John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said the payment was "an absolute game-changer in the fight to end child poverty".

He added that the announcedment was "a landmark recognition of the role the Scottish social security system can play in ending child poverty".

Paul Carberry, the director of Action for Children Scotland, said the “vital” support would “give back choice and dignity” to those families most in need.

Carberry said his organisation sees "the effects of child poverty every day and the impact it has on many of the children and families whom we support, care for and work with".

He added: "One simple act to help reduce child poverty is by putting money in the pockets of parents.

"The Scottish Child Payment can ease the struggle some families face in providing the basics and necessities of life.

"The impacts of poverty are profound for Scotland's children, from poor mental and physical health and wellbeing to poor performance at school.

"The Scottish Child Payment will offer vital financial support for children, young people and their families.

"It can give back choice and dignity. We urge all eligible families to apply for this."

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Shona Robison, chair of the SNP’s Social Justice Commission, said the new payment showed her party was doing “everything it can to support children in poverty”, while “the Tories at Westminster are still helplessly trying to defend their indefensible decision to deprive children of free school meals over the holidays”.

She went on: “The Scottish Child Payment is an ambitious new benefit which will directly tackle child poverty across the country.

“This support is needed more than ever, and it’s early introduction for under-6s - almost two years ahead of the original commitment for a new payment - will be a lifeline for many such families across Scotland.

“Tory cuts are driving too many families into poverty. With the full powers of independence, we can tackle child poverty - not leave children and families depending on the whim of this callous Tory Government.”