Around 2,000 children will be left “languishing” in poverty due to a lower take up of the SNP Government’s flagship benefits policy.
Figures show the claims for the Scottish Child Payment may not meet expected levels, which critics believe is a blow in the fight against poverty.
Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “No ifs, no buts, the SCP must reach every eligible child.”
Under the SCP, low income families will receive £10 a week for every child they have under 16 by 2022 - a move the Government expects to cut poverty levels by 30,000.
The cash will go to families with children under six later this year, which Ministers hope will take 17,000 kids out of poverty.
The Government assumed an 83% take up rate, but the Scottish Fiscal Commission estimated that the rate for under-6s would be closer to 76%.
New statistics from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveal that the lower rate would result in 15,000 children, not 17,000, being lifted out of poverty.
The gap will inevitably raise questions over whether the long-term 30,000 figure can be met.
It comes after the Daily Record revealed 58,000 children face missing out the initial payment to under 6s.
A loophole exists for families who qualify for the early payment this year, but whose child turns six in either 2021 or 2022.
If a child turns five in 2020, his family will get the SCP, but the cash will stop on their sixth birthday and only be restored when the benefit becomes fully operational.
Griffin said: “Child poverty is a blight on our society and must be eradicated. The risk of leaving 2000 children languishing in poverty compared to the SNP government’s claims is both deeply depressing and symptomatic of this the SNP’s botched implementation of the new social security system.
“Failing to deliver the promise to get 30,000 children out of poverty would be an unacceptable breach of trust.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The SFC’s role is to produce forecasts for expenditure and does not reflect our clear determination to ensure everyone can access the financial support they are eligible for.
“We have already proved that we can deliver successfully on the seven benefits we have introduced and that we continually aim to do all we can to remove barriers to take-up.
“We are delivering the new Scottish Child Payment at unprecedented speed for any Scottish or UK benefit - introducing it for eligible families with a child under six almost two years early. And we are committed to do everything we can to promote take-up of this benefit which will tackle child poverty head on."
