STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

Tens of thousands of families in Glasgow would see an increase in their income under a proposal to increase Child Benefit, Labour has said.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale announced the policy to raise Child Benefit by £20 a month by 2020.

The plan, which Labour wants the Scottish Government to adopt, would see an initial increase next year of £13.33 a month then up to £16.67 the following year and finally by £20 a month in 2020.

Anas Sarwar, Glasgow Labour MSP, said it would benefit 75,000 families in Glasgow and more than 120,000 children helping to lift thousands out of poverty.

He wants the Scottish Government to use the new powers over social security which allows for Child Benefit to be topped up in Scotland to be used and included in the Child Poverty Bill.

It would raise the level of Child Benefit by £240 a year by the 2020 date, increasing household incomes.

Mr Sarwar said: “The SNP’s Child Poverty Bill, now in the Scottish Parliament, should include Labour’s plan to top up Child Benefit for 74,530 families in Glasgow.

“If the Nationalists won’t do it we will seek to amend the law ourselves. I call on Nicola Sturgeon to back this plan to lift around 30,000 children out of poverty.”

He said it would help families cope with a fall in income standards.”

The MSP added: “Labour’s plan would mean starting to reverse the fall in the value of Child Benefit that families have seen over the past five years.”

The move has been backed by anti-poverty campaigners working in the city.

The Child Poverty Action Group said the move would reduce child poverty by 14% and help reduce the projected increase in poverty.

John Dickie, Director of CPAG in Scotland, said: “A significant increase in Child Benefit would make all the difference to hard pressed families. It could be the difference between a child going on a school trip or missing out, or the difference between a trip to the food bank and a trip to the supermarket.”