Family Finances: what difference does cash support for children make?
The introduction of the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) marked a significant departure for social security in the UK. Low-income families living north of the border now receive an additional £25/week for each child under 16. This mixed methods project, funded by the Aberdeen Financial Fairness Trust, will explore the impact on household financial well-being, aiming to inform future policy and decision-making. The analysis will combine quantitative analysis of the Family Resources Survey and Labour Force Survey with qualitative interviews with 40 parents in Scotland and a comparator group of 20 parents in northern England, including both urban and rural locations. A sub-sample of 30 parents will complete expenditure diaries.
The project is a partnership between the University of York (Professor Emma Tominey, Professor Ruth Patrick and Dr Kate Andersen), Professor Kitty Stewart at CASE, and the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), who will help us ensure that findings and recommendations are fed directly into policymaking discussions.
Duration: October 2024 to December 2025
Researchers
Professor of Economics, University of York
Partner organisation: Child Poverty Action Group