Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has welcomed the news that foster and kinship carers in the constituency are set to receive a new minimum standard national allowance from the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Recommended Allowance, which was a key recommendation of The Promise, is a vital new payment that will ensure that foster and kinship carers in Mid Fife and Glenrothes can fully support the children and young people in their care.
The weekly allowance, which is backdated to April 1st 2023, will see eligible foster and kinship carers in Glenrothes receive:
- 0 to 4 year-olds: £168.31
- 5 to 15 year-olds: £195.81
- 16 year-olds and over: £268.41
With the Scottish Government allocating £16 million to fund the Scottish Recommended Allowance, this payment will see over 9,000 young people across Scotland benefit, including many locally in Mid Fife and Glenrothes.
Commenting, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:
“Foster and kinship carers in Mid Fife and Glenrothes perform a vital role in supporting young people and I often hear from carers in the constituency who face intense financial pressure every day.
“The introduction of this Scottish Government funded Recommended Allowance will ensure that all care-experienced young people can grow up without missing out on opportunities that will be vital to their personal growth and development.
“This new support comes on top of £27m of Scottish Government funding to provide 24,000 children in Fife as a whole with the Scottish Child Payment, and will ensure that thousands of families are better able to support some of the most vulnerable young people in Glenrothes, Leven, and the surrounding villages.
“At a time when many families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, it is very welcome that the Scottish Government is focusing on the principles of equality, opportunity, and community to ensure that all young people in our society are fully supported.
ENDS
Notes:
Scottish Government Release: New national allowance for foster and kinship carers – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
