The wide-ranging measures will focus on providing extra payments to more than 3,000 families on low income while developing a much-needed scheme to help people reduce their energy bills.

Council Leader Marie Burns said: “There is no greater priority for us as an authority right now than helping people through what are likely to be difficult months ahead.

“We have a perfect storm of soaring energy bills and rising inflation and prices increasing for everyday goods. The measures approved by Cabinet are aimed at supporting our communities through these challenges, protecting, in particular, families on the lowest incomes.

“We all have a part to play in helping one another and North Ayrshire Council is committed to doing its share.”

The £4m package will include £2m for an energy support scheme which aims to offer advice and support to help people lower their energy bills, as well as practical help to install energy-saving features in homes. This support will be directed to those that need it most and more details on this initiative will be announced in the coming weeks.

It will also feature two separate Scottish Government Child Bridging Payments of £130 for families of children who are eligible for a free school meal - due to be distributed in October and December - will be topped up by a further £100 per child for both months. The £100 payments will also be extended to low-income families of children of pre-school age with approximately 3,300 families across North Ayrshire (5,700 children) in line to receive the payment.

The council has also allocated £500,000 to build on the existing community food network to ensure basic food provision is available to anyone who requires the support, recognising the growing membership and the anticipated increase in demand due to the impact of the expected rise in the energy cap.

These measures will form the key elements of the Council’s plan to help the most vulnerable in our communities. They will build on the decision taken by Cabinet in June to approve the allocation of £2.154m of Scottish Government funding, providing a range of supports for low-income households and measures to stimulate economic recovery.

This includes a Public Transport Travel Scheme to support travel to work, support for the delivery of the Council’s Modern Apprentice Programme, new Skills for Life work placements and Employer Recruitment Incentives among other initiatives.