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Increased Carer's Allowance To Be Delivered Next Summer.

The next milestone in building Scotland's new social security system will be the delivery of the first benefits and these will be the increased Carer's Allowance, the Best Start Grant and the Funeral Expense Assistance.



The new benefits will be subject to the scrutiny and agreement of the Scottish Parliament.

Social Security Secretary, Angela Constance, said; "The delivery of these first benefits is the next milestone in building Scotland's new social security system - the largest, most complex programme of change in the history of devolution.

"The benefits we will deliver may be different in nature but there is one common thread which binds them - an investment in the people of Scotland.

"Our approach will always treat people with fairness, dignity and respect, and there is no better way to show this than providing the support that they need and when they need it. These steps are key to helping us create a fairer country for all.

"Our plans will be laid out to the Parliament when we publish our Bill next month and we look forward to working with members to deliver this significant legislation."

The increased Carer's Allowance is set to be delivered in the summer of 2018, and will be increasing to the same level as Jobseeker's Allowance, with an investment of more than £30 million a year.

While the Best Start Grant, which will be replacing the Sure Start Maternity Grant, shall be delivered in the summer of 2019, and is a one-off grant of £600 for the first child born to low income families, and increase of £100 from the current rate. This grant shall also include the re-introduction of £300 for subsequent children and two payments of £259 each during a child's early years.

Finally, the Funeral Expense Assistance, set to be delivered in the summer of 2019, will ensure a the processing of application with 10 days, significantly faster than at present. This is to make it easier for people to understand if they are eligible for assistance.

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