The Social Security (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: equality impact assessment

The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) considers potential effects of changes to Best Start Foods, Best Start Grants and Scottish Child Payment and how these impact on people with one or more protected characteristics.


Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy

Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and the 3 Best Start Grant payments – Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment - are known collectively as the Five Family Payments. They are five different payments which aim to provide support to low income families with the costs of raising a child. All five payments intend to tackle inequality, improve outcomes and make a positive impact on all of the priority groups identified in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.[1]

These regulations will introduce a number of changes which are intended to:

  • provide support to more children in poverty
  • provide greater support to low income families with a new child who are likely to be starting from scratch
  • provide a more compassionate and dignified system in the event of the death of a child
  • make it easier for families to access the support they are entitled to
    • Social Security Directorate
    • Social Security Policy Division
    • Five Family Payments, Funeral Support and Challenge Rights Unit

Contact

Email: kai.stuart@gov.scot

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