Highland MSP Maree Todd concerned over numbers turning to Scottish Welfare Fund
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A NORTH MSP has highlighted figures showing that the Scottish Welfare Fund made 1140 payments to people in the Highlands in the last financial quarter to help pay for essentials such as food, heating costs, and household necessities.
This was a seven per cent increase on the same period last year.
Maree Todd, an SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “The Scottish Welfare Fund is a vital lifeline for many people facing poverty or crisis.
“But the fact that so many households in the Highlands have been forced to turn to the fund for emergency financial help is extremely concerning.
“The Scottish Government spends millions every year mitigating Tory welfare cuts. Scotland’s devolved government is now in the position that it must protect its citizens from the cruelty of the UK state – this is both unacceptable and unsustainable.
“Estimates also suggest that the UK Government’s social security spending in Scotland is set to reduce by £3.7 billion per year by 2021. Let’s not forget, the benefit freeze and benefit cap are also now in its fourth year.
“Only with full powers over social security can we begin to make Scotland an equal country with a dignified and fair welfare system. Until then, the SNP will continue to do everything in our power to tackle poverty and support low-income families.”
The Scottish Welfare Fund provides community care grants – which help people to live independently – and crisis grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency.
Since its launch in 2013, the fund has paid out almost £220 million to more than 357,000 households across the country – with 36,215 households in the Highlands receiving help.
The most common reason families said they applied for emergency funding was because their benefits or other income had been spent.
A third of households receiving awards were families with children.
