Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2022-2026 - annex 5: impact of policies on child poverty

Best Start Foods

The policy seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland by ensuring low-income families can access the healthy foods that some may otherwise struggle to afford.

• Costs of living
• Income from social security and benefits in kind

Enhanced life chances (e.g. health, wellbeing, capabilities, longer term goals)

Potential size of impact

It is anticipated that around 67,000-69,000 payments will be made annually over the period of the plan once the income thresholds have been removed.

Type of impact

Direct impact through increasing income from social security and thus reducing cost of living for the family.

Certainty of impact

In combination with other support (such as the Scottish Child Payment) it is anticipated to help achieve targets.

Priority families targeted by policy:

• Lone parents
• 3+ children
• Disabled
• Minority ethnic
• Baby < 1
• Mothers aged <25

The policy targets pregnant women and families with a child under the age of three who are in receipt of a qualifying benefit. There is no limit on the number of children. Children aged under three, with British citizenship, and whose parent or guardian meets the financial eligibility criteria but do not have a qualifying benefit due to having no recourse to public funds are also eligible for support. Young mothers under 18 are automatically entitled, without the need for a qualifying benefit. Once they turn 18, they will continue to be eligible for Best Start Foods during pregnancy and can claim up until the child turns one. To maximise take up, a single form can be used to apply for Best Start Foods, Best Start Grant and Scottish Child Payment. Social Security Scotland has taken a proactive approach and has written to families directly inviting them to apply. Information can be obtained from DWP and HMRC to identify families who may be eligible.

Tracking progress

Social Security Scotland currently publishes statistics on applications and payments for Best Start Foods. Best Start Foods is being evaluated in accordance with the principles set out in the Social Security evaluation strategy published in November 2019. The evaluation will be published in Summer 2022.