Welfare fund demand rises by 30%

28 January 2015

Some 65 applications for welfare assistance were made in the Western Isles in the quarter, according to new figures.

Island applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund increased by 30% from July to September 2014, compared to the same period the previous year.

195 Western Isles households have now been helped by the Scottish Welfare Fund in its first 18 months of operation.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: “That anyone should live in poverty in a wealthy country is completely unacceptable and we’ll continue to tackle poverty and inequality to create a more prosperous and fairer society.

“The Scottish Welfare Fund is a lifeline for people to buy the everyday items or cover basic living costs that so many of us take for granted.”

He added: “The Scottish Government has allocated £33 million a year to the Scottish Welfare Fund to make sure that we continue to reach out to households in the most deprived areas.

“Many families are paying a heavy price for the UK Government’s welfare reforms and this investment helps to mitigate the effects of these cuts on some of our most vulnerable people.”