Through the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, 19 regions will benefit from new projects designed to support communities with the cost of living.

Energy bill discount vouchers worth £28 will be offered to around 700 families on Argyll and Bute’s islands whose children are in receipt of means-tested free school meals.

The local authority will contact eligible families and invite them to contact ALIenergy to receive additional support to pay their bills - that will include access to its Affordable Warmth Service, providing additional financial advice to cut energy bills through sustainable heating appliances.

The other projects to benefit include:

• placing a debt and welfare adviser in 11 primary schools in Perth and Kinross
• opening a new hub to upskill workers and increase incomes through work in Stornoway
• a mobile ‘Dad’s Barber’ which will offer free haircare in South Ayrshire, also opening the door to wellbeing support.

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty, supporting families and giving children the best start in life are the guiding principles of this government. That’s why we are investing in local anti-poverty measures across the country, helping to improve services that are in the heart of communities.

“Our efforts are already having a good impact on household finances, be that through free prescriptions, free bus travel for under-22s or the removal of peak rail fares. The Scottish Child Payment is also playing a key role in ensuring Scotland is the only part of the UK to see relative child poverty rates fall last year.

“Our draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 goes a step further, making landmark interventions in our attempts to tackle the root causes of child poverty, while supporting the newest Mums and Dads with a premium payment for those eligible with children under one during 2027-2028, and guaranteeing the strongest package of financial support in the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets.”