Scottish ministers are being urged to improve support for youngsters whose parents are in the forces, by introducing a special pupil premium.

Liberal Democrats are urging the Scottish Government to follow the example of England, where such a system is already in place to help those with a parent in the military.

Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart insisted action was needed as the prospect of children being forced to move between different schools, as well as the worries of having a parent in danger overseas, makes childhood harder for forces children.

The Lib Dems have said the payment - which would be made to the families of the 2,500 military children - should at least match the £300 in England.

Ms Wishart, who won her Shetland seat at Holyrood following a by-election in the summer, said: "Many young people with parents in the armed forces are forced to chop and change between schools as they move around for their parents' work.

"It can be seriously disruptive to their schoolwork and school life.

"The worry of having a parent away in a dangerous place for a long time, or worse dying for their country, means they often need extra support.

"It's absolutely wrong that the children of our armed service men and women face barriers in education.

"The Liberal Democrats want to remedy that through a new armed forces pupil premium so that those young people can get the extra help they need with their mental health as well as their work.

"Liberal Democrats introduced the pupil premium elsewhere in the UK and the SNP government eventually agreed to adopt it in Scotland too. Now we need to make sure it works for everyone.

"That means also introducing the extra help that was made available to armed forces families in England years ago, thanks to the Liberal Democrats. It is part of the Military Covenant and our commitment to treat them fairly.

"We owe the members of our army, navy and RAF a huge debt.
"An armed forces pupil premium would help close the attainment gap and ensure their children get the support they need."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We want all children and young people to get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential - no matter their circumstances.

"Education authorities have a duty to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils.

"This includes those who need long or short-term support because a parent is in the Armed Forces."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "We want all children and young people to get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential - no matter their circumstances.

"Education authorities have a duty to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils.

"This includes those who need long or short-term support because a parent is in the Armed Forces."