Scottish Welfare Fund helps nearly 300,000 people in five years

Nearly 300,00 households in Scotland have been dependent on emergency cash grants in the last five years.

New figures also show people claimed more than £2 million to help with the cost of heating and eating in the first three months of this year alone.

In total, 296,520 households across the country have been helped by the Scottish Welfare Fund since it was established by ministers in April 2013 - receiving awards totalling £164.8 million.

A third of those receiving financial assistance were families with children while 54% were single people living alone.

Between January and March 2018, the Scottish Welfare Fund provided grants totalling #8.8 million - up from the £8.6 million given out in the first three months of last year.

Meanwhile, Scottish Government statistics showed over the financial year 2017-18 payments from the fund amounted to £32.7 million, with this including £23.6 million on community care grants - which help families facing exceptional pressures with one-off costs such as a cooker or washing machine.

A further £9.1 million went on crisis grants, which aid those struggling with the costs of heating, eating and other basic living expenses.

In just the first three months of 2018, Scots received £1,451,162 so they could buy food, with a further £519,418 going towards helping people heat their homes.

One in ten of those applying for a crisis grant in the period January to March needed help because of delays to their benefit payments, the data revealed, with this the reason for 5,095 applications.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Sommerville said she was pleased Scottish ministers had been able to provide a "vital lifeline'' to almost 300,000 households in need.

She also stated she was "angry'' that UK Government welfare cuts were pushing more people into poverty.

Ms Sommerville said: "Any of us can face an unexpected expense. But that is harder to absorb if you are already struggling to survive.

"At those times it is only right that government offers support rather than a cold shoulder. That is why the Scottish Government created the Scottish Welfare Fund, a vital lifeline for people in times of need, allowing them to cover the everyday necessities that many of us take for granted.

"I am pleased that the fund has been able to help nearly 300,000 households across the country. But I'm also angry that the damaging and continuing UK Government cuts to welfare are pushing more and more people into poverty.''

She added: "The Scottish Government is spending over £125 million this year alone trying to allay the very worst effects of these harmful cuts and protect those on low incomes.

"Local authorities are dealing with new applications every week and we will continue to do all we can to support hard-pressed families and individuals who, through no fault of their own, are struggling to make ends meet."