First minister to announce £100m fund to help low-income families

Low-income households are to receive a £100 direct payment before Christmas as part of a multi-millionpound winter fund to help those struggling during the coronavirus crisis.

The extra cash, which will go to those families whose children are eligible for free school meals, will be announced by Nicola Sturgeon on the final day of the SNP ’s virtual conference.

In her keynote speech, she will outline plans to help those most in need with some of the £ 100 million fund also going on helping with fuel bills and tackling loneliness.

Ms Sturgeon will make reference to her government’s plans for a Scottish Child Payment before announcing the £100m winter fund.

She will say: “We will shortly become the only part of the UK to give lowincome families an extra £ 10 per week for every child – initially for children

up to age six and then for every child up to age 16. This has been described as a game-changer in the fight to end child poverty.

“The first payments will be made in February. But I know that for families struggling now, February is still a long way off.

“So I am announcing today a £100 mi l l i o n package to bridge that gap,

and help others struggling most with the impact of Covid over the winter months.

“It will include money to help people pay their fuel bills and make sure children don’t go hungry.

“It will offer additional help for the homeless, and fund an initiative to get older people online and connected.”

It will help those whose children get free school meals.