Welfare fund is success

Crisis grants help

Nearly £13.4 million in crisis and community care grants has been issued to North Lanarkshire residents since the establishment of the Scottish welfare fund in April 2013.

The area’s residents received 47,705 crisis grants and 15,335 community care grants – from an overall total of 93,205 applications – in the three and a half years until last September.

Crisis grants help those on low incomes who have been impacted by disaster or emergencies, such as fires, floods or having had money stolen; while community care grants are to help people set up home and with oneoff items such as appliances or carpets, in the event of exceptional pressures.

New figures from the Scottish Government show that more than 275,000 households across the country have received at least one award from the fund since it was set up.

Alex Neil, the Airdrie & Shotts MSP, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many people across North Lanarkshire accessing the support they need.

“We’re committed to supporting people who need it most despite Tory austerity and callous welfare cuts, which is why this £13m investment in North Lanarkshire is so important.

“Across North Lanarkshire last year, 99 per cent of those receiving crisis grants were helped within two working days, proving how quick and effective this funding is.”

He added: “Crisis grants are most often spent on food and essential heating – with welfare cuts responsible for 14 per cent of applications to the Scottish welfare fund.”