More than 100,000 children might miss out on a new Scottish benefit to combat poverty.
Independent body the Scottish Fiscal Commission estimates a take-up rate of 74 per cent, down on the SNP Government’s figure of 83 per cent.
The gap led to calls for a campaign to target as many low-income families as possible.
Green party MSP Alison Johnstone said: “It is concerning that support aimed at Scotland”s children might not get to as many as 100,000 of them.
“If we are to meet legal targets to drastically reduce child poverty, we must ensure that all support aimed at our poorest families gets where it needs to go.
“The Scottish Government have ambitious targets for reducing child poverty, but to meet them families need to get what they are entitled to. Ministers must explain why it looks like so many families may miss out on much needed support, and put in place a plan to quickly increase awareness and take-up of the payment.”
Greens had called for a child benefit top-up but the Scottish Government said their system will reach people faster.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission estimate represents 287,000 children by the year 2024-25, below the 389,000 in the government forecast.
The new Scottish Child Payment was announced last year as key part of the country’s new devolved social security system.
The payment, worth £10 a week, will be available for all eligible under-16s by 2022 at a cost of £180 million a year. It aims to reduce child poverty by three percentage points.
Unlike UK child benefit, there will be no cap on eligible children.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “If we had followed other proposals to top up child benefit, it would have taken much longer to introduce the Scottish Child Payment and no one would be getting payments this year. Instead, we are delivering at unprecedented speed for any Scottish or UK benefit.
“Encouraging individuals to claim the financial assistance they are entitled to is a duty of government and a social responsibility.
“Our strong take-up strategy is backed by £600,000 funding and we have already proved that we can deliver successfully on other benefits. We will continue to do everything we can to promote take-up and deliver the benefit almost two years early.
“Social security payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, will be at risk if a new Scottish Budget is not agreed and in place before 1 April 2020 so we urge Parliament to work constructively with us to pass this Budget.”
