7 October, 2019 - 11:44

Scottish Green Social Security Spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP has welcomed parliamentary approval of legislation establishing a Young Carer Grant, after the Scottish Parliament formally backed the measure on Wednesday 2nd October.

This policy was based on a proposal in the Scottish Greens 2016 manifesto, as the First Minister confirmed on the 25th May 2016 when she said, “We will increase carers allowance, and I can announce today that we will consider the introduction of a young carers allowance to provide extra support for young people with significant caring responsibilities. That proposal was in the Green Party manifesto—I think that it has real merit, and we will now ask our carer advisory groups for their views on how to take it forward.”

Alison said:

“I’m sure The Young Carer Grant will be welcomed by the thousands of young carers across the country. It won’t fully compensate young carers for the incredible support they provide, but it should go some way to giving young people with caring responsibilities the same opportunities as their peers. This is just the latest example of the Scottish Greens leading the change in the Scottish Parliament.”