If approved by the Scottish Parliament, around 83,000 eligible carers will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June.

As with the current supplement, they will not need to do anything to get this extra payment as it will be paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

This would mean that carers receive an additional £690.30 this year on top of their Carer’s Allowance and any other income. This supplement is not paid in the rest of the UK.

Cabinet secretary for social security and older people, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “We introduced the Carer’s Allowance Supplement to recognise the important contribution unpaid carers play in our society. They provide vital support to family, friends and neighbours. Our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus will see many of these carers experiencing additional pressures, particularly financial, right now.

“The payment will benefit carers who are on low incomes and already have some of the most intense caring roles, providing at least 35 hours unpaid care weekly to a disabled child or adult in receipt of higher-level disability benefits.

“This additional payment would be an acknowledgement to carers that we know that they are doing even more right now, and we thank you.”

Citizens Advice Scotland’s Mhoraig Green said: “This is good news, and is something we have supported calls for. Carers really do need additional support at the moment and this payment will help them give the person they care for the best possible support during the pandemic.

“This mirrors the increase to Universal Credit, and will provide much-needed income to recognise the increased pressures on carers’ incomes, and in many cases an increase in their caring responsibilities.”

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.