Natalie Don MSP has praised Social Security Scotland following news that it made £641 million in direct payments to people across Scotland, including £17,734,595 to people in Renfrewshire.

The payments were made between April 2022 and March 2023 and include 13 Scottish benefits, seven of which are new forms of support which are unavailable elsewhere in the UK. 

Among these payments is the Scottish Child Payment, now helping over 300,000 young people, and the new Winter Heating Payment which has helped almost 400,000 people on low incomes with their heating costs. 

Commenting, Natalie Don MSP said:

“The SNP Scottish Government is providing £17,734,595 of support to the most vulnerable households in Renfrewshire at a ti when many are feeling the full effects of the exorbitant cost of living.

“Since entering government in 2007, the SNP has built a welfare system based on dignity, fairness and respect, in stark contrast to the appallingly little support available from the DWP at Westminster.

“I am proud that Social Security Scotland continues to expand, with their 14th payment – the Carer Support Payment – about to be launched and the ground-breaking Scottish Child Payment continuing to help those who need it most.

“As long as the SNP are in government, people across Renfrewshire and beyond can trust that they will receive the money they are entitled to and will be supported in accessing the help that they need.”