Renfrewshire took £1m in winter payments
New figures show that almost 15,000 Renfrewshire residents benefited from Scottish Government financial support this winter.
The statistics, published by Social Security Scotland, show 14,700 winter heating payments were issued over winter 2023/24, up from 14,105 the previous winter.
The number of child winter heating payments, available to under 19s receiving higher rate disability benefits, also increased from 810 to 925.
In total, £1.027 million was paid to Renfrewshire households across the two benefits between the end of November last year and March this year.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said the additional support was making “a real difference” to households across the county.
He said:“These new figures show the real difference the new winter heating payment system has made to people across Renfrewshire.
“In the two years since the Scottish Government took over responsibility for these payments households in Renfrewshire have seen support increase thanks to the decisions taken here in Scotland.
“Combined with the child winter heating payments, paid to under 19s in receipt of higher rate disability payments, these are benefits making a real difference to those who need them most.”
He added:“I’m proud we have a Scottish Government that is doing something different and better to help our communities in the middle of the ongoing cost-of -living crisis.”
The winter heating payment guarantees a payment of £55.05 per year – up from the previous £50 level – to those in receipt of qualifying benefits, including Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
The previous system inherited from the UK Department for Work and Pensions meant payments were only made when the temperature at Bishopton weather station hit zero degrees for seven consecutive days – meaning one mild day a fortnight could stop thousands of people receiving support. That requirement has been dropped in Scotland with qualifying households instead guaranteed a payment every winter.