That the Parliament recognises the commencement of One Parent Families Scotland’s End Young Parent Poverty campaign, which began on 26 April 2023; notes with concern reports that people aged under 25 receive less than older Universal Credit claimants in the same circumstances; believes that such a policy disproportionately affects parents who are under 25, including in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency; acknowledges reports that, in real terms, this means that couple parents under 25 lose out by £100 per month compared to over-25s, and single parents under 25 lose out by £65 per month compared with those over 25; notes the calls for the Scottish Government to support young families with a top-up to the Scottish Child Payment for parents under 25, who are in receipt of Universal Credit; further notes the calls for the UK Government to urgently reverse what it considers this discriminatory policy and pay under-25s the same rate of benefits as over-25s; understands that the campaign is supported by nearly 50 partner organisations, and notes the view that the realisation of the campaign’s goals will help children at the highest risk of poverty, promote gender equality by addressing what it sees as the deep inequalities faced by young single parents who are disproportionally female, as well as supporting all young single parent families who represent the household type reportedly most likely to lose out from the move to Universal Credit, and help Keep The Promise to care experienced young people.
Supported by:
Clare Adamson, Foysol Choudhury, Jackie Dunbar, Jim Fairlie, Fiona Hyslop, Monica Lennon, Alex Rowley, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney