Poverty-Hit Homes To Get Help

Vulnerable households across Fife are to receive a helping hand.

The Scottish Government says more than 32,000 families with children are to receive help to buy everyday products such as nappies, food and cookers.

The money is being made available through the Scottish Welfare Fund which provides a safety net to low income households in a disaster or emergency.

Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said it is "heart breaking" to see the impacts of welfare reforms, with people coming forward and applying for help to for items such as food, shoes and beds.

She said: "It is totally unacceptable that in a country as wealthy as Scotland anyone should be living in poverty and unable to afford items that many of us take for granted.

“These figures show that demand for the Welfare Fund is high and is reaching out to those in the most deprived areas of Scotland. That’s why it is important that we take forward our new Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill to set out how welfare funds will operate within local authorities to help those most in need.

“We have already set out in the Scottish Government’s submission to the Smith Commission that we need to have full responsibility over welfare and employment powers. Only full powers over welfare, employment and social policy will help us to tackle poverty and allow Scotland to become a fairer country.”