The Scottish Government has announced an additional £2.4 million in funding to help people struggling to afford food and other essentials.

The funds will go to four organisations to distribute mainly on a ‘cash-first’ basis to people in immediate need in the face of the cost of living crisis.

A focus on crisis payments and shopping cards will allow people to choose for themselves what they need.

This funding is part of roughly £3 Billion allocated by the Scottish government in 2022-2023 in order to reduce the impact of the cost of living crisis.

Reacting to this news, Christina McKelvie MSP, the SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said:

“I know that people are struggling and have been throughout winter. There are global and domestic factors which have amplified the impact of the cost of living crisis on households, individuals and businesses right across my constituency.

“But, I want my constituents to know that there is help out there. I want my constituents to make use of the support that is widely available to them. Therefore, I encourage all my constituents to check the government’s cost of living support website, as well as checking in with their local authorities to see what help they are entitled to.

“This additional winter funding, which is part of a larger funding package of £3 billion, allocated by the Scottish government, is an important step. Through this cash-first approach, it will allow my constituents to decide what is the best use of the financial support available to them, whilst also alleviating the pressures faced by foodbanks in my constituency and across Scotland.

“Times are tough right now. But, things are improving. Things will continue to improve. As a constituency, and as a nation, we will get through this.”