LOW-INCOME households in Clydebank have been supported by a share of over £3 million from the Scottish Government, new figures show.

Local households across West Dunbartonshire received £1.5 million from Low Income Pandemic Payments and a further £1.7 million from Bridging Payments that support families with children in receipt of free school meals. 

Responsibility for welfare remains reserved to Westminster, however, the Scottish Government is looking to take over some areas. 

This has resulted in the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment and new Adult Disability Payment. 

The Scottish Government delivered more than £145 million through Low Income Pandemic Payments and Bridging Payments to more than 530,000 households across the country.

Marie McNair MSP, who represents Clydebank, said she welcomes the figures.

Ms McNair, who sits on the social justice and social security committee at Holyrood, said the Scottish Government was "demonstrating its commitment to helping those that need it most".

She added: “It is clear from the casework that comes into my office that local families have been hit hard by the pandemic – some have lost wages and jobs, while others have seen an increase in heating bills as we all spent more time at home.

“That’s why it is so important that the Scottish Government stepped in to help families across West Dunbartonshire to the tune of more than £3 million.

“I see from my work on the committee that oversees social security in Scotland, that there is a sea change in the approach from the previous hostile system presided over by the UK government.

"We are witnessing the tentative first steps of a social security system designed to get people the right support, at the right time.

“That can only be good news for people here in West Dunbartonshire.”