John Swinney to face FMQs after announcing plans to end child poverty in Scotland

John Swinney is set to face questions in the chamber at Holyrood after announcing his plan to end child poverty in Scotland.

The First Minister said on Wednesday that ending the two-child cap on some benefits in Scotland could take place earlier than expected and that his Government could act in the coming year.

Setting out plans to possibly accelerate action, Swinney said there is the “potential to make a real and radical difference to the lives of children in Scotland”.

SNP ministers at Holyrood have previously pledged to effectively scrap the policy north of the border, but this had not been expected to happen before April 2026.

The benefits cap means families can only claim some benefits for their first two children, with no payments made for subsequent children.

The Scottish Budget for 2025-26 includes funds to work towards ending the cap.

Swinney said on Wednesday that if the system can be put in place more quickly, payments could start to be made in the coming year – although he accepted later that this was “unlikely”.

The announcement came just over a month after the policy was first unveiled in the Scottish Government’s draft Budget.

The First Minister is likely to be questioned on the announcement during FMQs.