Explainers
Best Start Grant
Best Start Grant (BSG) is a series of one-off payments to help low income households with the costs of having a child. This includes a Pregnancy and Baby Payment, an Early Learning Payment and a School Age Payment. To qualify, families must have been awarded a qualifying payment, usually Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit.
BSG Pregnancy and Baby Payment replaces the UK Government’s Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Forecast spending for Best Start Grant
| £ million | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and Baby Payment | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Early Learning Payment | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| School Age Payment | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |