Aileen Campbell

The funding, confirmed in a Statement to Parliament by finance secretary Kate Forbes this week, will support the delivery of two key investments for 2020-2021:

• A further £100 COVID Hardship Payment for qualifying low income families whose children receive free meals in schools and early learning and childcare settings
• Additional funding of £20m for councils to tackle financial insecurity at a local level, making almost £47m available for this priority

Aileen Campbell, cabinet secretary for communities and local government, said: “We know the financial burden the pandemic is placing on people across Scotland and this additional investment will help to make a real difference.

“We will invest a further £17.2m to support families with children. We will use this to fund a further £100 COVID Spring Hardship Payment, following the previous payment in December. This payment will reach up to 168,000 children and young people who receive free meals in school and early learning and childcare settings because their families are on a low income.

“The increase of £20m doubles the funds we recently made available to councils to specifically tackle financial insecurity at a local level. This additional investment will help them to reach more people and offer enhanced support to those who need it most in their communities.”

Local authorities will be asked to deliver the COVID Spring Hardship Payments alongside the continuation of free school meal provision during the Easter holidays.