Welfare fund pays out 8,000 grants
The Scottish Welfare Fund made 8,390 payments to people in Renfrewshire in the last financial year.
New figures show a total of 1,275 Community Care Grants and 7,115 Crisis Grants were awarded in Renfrewshire over the year.
The money helped people with essentials such as food, heating costs and household items.
The SNP introduced the Scottish Welfare Fund in 2013. The Fund is part of a £125 million annual package to mitigate the impact of UK government austerity.
Since its launch in April 2013, the fund has paid out more than £ 200 million to support over 336,000 households across Scotland, with a third of recipients being families with children.
Renfrewshire West MSP Tom Arthur said:“The Scottish Welfare Fund is a vital lifeline for many people facing poverty or personal crisis.
“The fact that so many households across Renfrewshire South are in need of emergency financial help is appalling, and a sad indictment of the UK Government’s record on austerity and welfare changes.”
MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, Gavin Newlands, added: “The SNP would prefer these resources were invested directly to tackle poverty rather than protecting people from Tory austerity.
“The UN Sp e c i a l Rapporteur on Poverty described it as outrageous that the Scottish Government had to divert funds to protect people from Westminster’s mess. The SNP will continue to do everything in our power to tackle poverty and support low income families. It’s time for the Tories to stop forcing Renfrewshire South families into poverty.”
The Crisis Grant aims to help people in financial emergency, such as those struggling on low incomes or benefits.
The Community Care Grant aims to, among other things, help people set up home or help families facing exceptional pressures.