There is no evidence the Scottish child payment (SCP) meaningfully encourages parents to avoid work, a study has found.

The research from economists and policy academics at Glasgow University, York University and the London School of Economics (LSE) found deprivation and food insecurity would be up to 9% higher without the benefit.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) said the study backed the case for the Scottish Finance Secretary to increase the payment above inflation in her budget in January.

The charity said that investing the estimated £155 million in Holyrood savings from the UK Government’s decision to scrap the two-child benefit cap could fund a hike in the SCP from £27.15 to £37.50.

It said this would lift another 10,000 children out of poverty, with 40,000 already having b

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