The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has urged Scotland’s parties to back a plan to raise the Scottish child payment to £80 by the end of the next Parliament. The group describes its prescription for change as a manifesto to transform children’s health and says whichever party forms the Government after the Holyrood election in May must act with bold, evidence-based policies. It would raise SCP from £27.15 per week per child to £40 immediately, with a commitment to doubling it to £80 by 2031.

It sets out five priorities to ensure children grow up healthy, safe and supported. These include tackling entrenched health inequalities through early intervention and investment; using data to improve outcomes; addressing the mental health and neurodevelopmental emergency; strengthening overstretched child health services; and investing in the child health workforce. The RCPCH also backs universal free school meals for all primary pupils and calls on the Scottish Government to spend at least 1% of the NHS budget on child mental health services amid warnings of a crisis in this area. It urges the Government to commit to a fully funded national pathway for children with conditions such as autism and ADHD, warning that neurodevelopmental services are struggling to meet demand and show long waits and inconsistent care across health boards. It also proposes policies to halve childhood obesity by the end of the decade, including a ban on unlimited refills of sugary drinks.

Dr Mairi Stark, RCPCH officer for Scotland, said Scotland stands at a pivotal moment as child health outcomes worsen and major services come under pressure. She noted that poverty remains the leading driver of poor child health, with nearly a quarter of children in relative poverty. She added that the upcoming Holyrood elections present an opportunity to put children at the heart of policymaking and to create a framework where their health, wellbeing and rights are prioritised, with fair investment in child health relative to adult care. Health Secretary Neil Gray said the Government is committed to tackling child poverty and improving health services for children. He highlighted the five family payments, worth over £10,000 by the time a child turns six, and cited improvements in dental health from the ChildSmile programme and CAMHS meeting the 18-week treatment standard for three quarters running, adding that tackling child poverty remains a key government priority.