Website crash shows importance of Scottish Child Payment- Sturgeon

Charlotte Liddell with sons Cayden, 10, and Nolan, seven

The first minister has said the "massive demand" which crashed the website for people applying for the new extended Scottish Child Payment highlights how important the scheme is.

Almost half of all children in Scotland could benefit from the change to include anyone under 16.

The scheme has previously been available to low-income families with children under the age of six.

About 400,000 children are in families eligible for the £25 weekly payment.

New claimants were urged to apply online but a huge surge on Monday morning meant people were temporarily unable to complete the application form. The system was restored by 12:00.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the "initial teething problems" were a clear sign of how many people would benefit.

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She said: "There's massive demand, and I actually welcome the fact there has been such a strong demand for applications for this extended benefit today.

"Yes, that's created some difficulties for the website, which will be sorted over the course of the day."

She added: "People will get access to this benefit which is not available anywhere else in the UK.

"It is being made available because the Scottish government is rightly, within really difficult financial circumstances, prioritising lifting children out of poverty."

Social Security Scotland said all available staff were used to take phone applications until the online system was back up and running.

A spokesperson said there were always risks when expanding services and they fixed the issues quickly.

They are anticipating high levels of demand will continue throughout the week.

Who can apply?

People with children under 16 can now apply, whether they are in work or not, if they or their partner are getting one or more of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

Social Security Scotland will also accept claims from people named on one of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The government is urging people to apply online or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

The Scottish Child Payment was previously only available to families with children under six and was claimed by about 100,000 people.

Those with children under-16 are now eligible for the payment, which has been increased from £20 a week to £25, a total of £1,300 a year per child.

It is estimated that about 400,000 of Scotland's 900,000 children under-16 could be eligible.

Really worried

Charlotte Liddell from Dundee told the BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime she was unable to complete her application. She gave up after pages failed to load and will try again on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old mum of two boys said the payment had come at a good time, and that this was the first time in her life when she has been really worried.

She said: "I caught my son doing the dishes the other day. I have a dishwasher so I asked him why he was doing the dishes and he said it was so I didn't have to put the dishwasher on because it costs a lot of money.

"That's something they shouldn't have to worry about at their age."

'I can stop worrying'

Heather Searle has applies to add her older children to the Scottish Child Payment

Single parent Heather Searle, a support worker for disabled children, applied first thing on Monday morning.

She had previously qualified for the child payment for her five year-old Esme-Rose but the extension of the benefit means she was able to add Emily, 11 and Alyxs, 12. She told the BBC the payment had taken a weight off her shoulders.

"I'm a single parent, financially doing it alone," she said. "The cost of electricity, food shopping, fuel for getting to work, it is all beginning to hit hard. I have really felt it over the past six months.

"Everything is getting more expensive as the kids get older. And I can't believe the cost of food."

Emily, 11, Esme-Rose, 5 and Alyks, 12 will all receive the Scottish child payment

"It made a massive difference with my youngest and this is going to really make a big difference with other two.

"Just for day-to-day living and not having to worry so much every week about bills.

"It lifts the stress off me. If I'm stressed about money and bills, it affects all of us."

Heather is on a zero hours contract and works hours around her children, so she cannot always work more to meet rising bills.

She said: "I have to do that because paying for childcare is not a possibility.

"And that is me as a working parent. I can't imagine how bad it is for those not working."

The Scottish government has described the move as a "game-changing, anti-poverty measure" which could lift as many as 50,000 children out of poverty.

Chris Birt, associate director for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation think tank, described the rollout of the child payment benefit as "a watershed moment for tackling poverty in Scotland" and the rest of the UK "should take note".

He said: "No child should live in poverty so there is clearly more to do, but the Scottish government should be commended for prioritising spend on this vital measure at this time.

"But this is not just a cost of living crisis measure, it is an enduring investment in our children."

Vulnerable families

Sallyann Kelly, chief executive of the children's charity Aberlour, welcomed the rollout, which she said "will be a real help to families who are struggling in Scotland".

However, she called on the government to make sure the benefits continue to be felt in the long term.

Other charities have urged the UK government to follow the Scottish government's move.

A UK government spokeswoman said: "Our priority will always be to support the most vulnerable and we recognise that people are struggling with rising prices, which is why we are protecting millions of those most in need with at least £1,200 of direct payments.

"In addition, vulnerable families are being supported by the government's household support fund - which was boosted by £500m - to help pay for essentials and latest figures show that there were 200,000 fewer children in absolute poverty after housing costs compared to 2019/20.

"The UK government has also provided an extra £123m for the Scottish government to help vulnerable families at their discretion and this is in addition to the significant welfare powers they already have."