Local MSP Maree Todd, SNP has acknowledged the support the Scottish Welfare Fund has  given to 145 Orkney households over the last year.

Maree Todd said:

“The Scottish Welfare Fund is a vital lifeline for many people facing poverty or personal crisis.

“The fact that so many households in Orkney are in need of emergency financial help is appalling, and a sad indictment of the UK Government’s record on austerity and welfare changes.”

70 Community Care Grants and 75 Crisis Grants were awarded to residents  in Orkney over the year.

The money helped people with essentials such as food, heating costs and household items.

The Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Welfare Fund in 2013. It is part of a £125 million annual package to mitigate the impact of UK government austerity.

Since its launch in April 2013, the Fund has paid out more than £200 million to support over 336,000 households across Scotland, with a third of recipients being families with children.

Maree Todd said:

“The SNP would prefer these resources were invested directly to tackle poverty rather than protecting people from Tory austerity.

“Indeed, the UN Special Rapporteur on Poverty described it as outrageous that the Scottish Government had to divert funds to protect people from Westminster’s mess.

“The SNP will continue to do everything in our power to tackle poverty and support low income families. It’s time for the Tories to end their austerity agenda and stop forcing Orkney families into poverty.”