10,000 families secure winter hardship cash

More than 10,000 families in North Lanarkshire have received a £100 Covid winter hardship payment to support them through one of the most difficult winters in living memory.

New figures show that the Scottish Government provided support to thousands in each of Scotland’s local authorities – with more than £14 million paid out to families in December.

In North Lanarkshire, £1 million was paid out to 10,370 families.

The payment, announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was made available to families who were in receipt of free school meals and was paid from November 30 to the start of the winter school holidays.

Shotts MSP Alex Neil said:“With the Scottish Government rolling out the

Scottish Child Payment and supporting hundreds of thousands of families across Scotland with the £100 Covid winter hardship payment, we are making a real difference to people’s lives and lifting children out of poverty.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for families in my constituency who may have faced lost earnings, increased food bills and cold weather. The £100 winter payment will hopefully have eased the financial strain many have been facing.

“In contrast to the Tories at Westminster, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to ensure kids who receive free school meals do not go hungry.

“Alongside introducing the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Food Grants, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting children.”