Leading charities have blasted the SNP/Green Government plan to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Poverty Alliance Director Peter Kelly responded to the announcement of giving £150 to households living in bands A-D as “deeply disappointing”.
He said the measures failed to “properly target” support for those on the lowest incomes.
Chris Birt of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said: “By largely copying the approach of the Chancellor, the Scottish Government has repeated his mistakes and provided cold comfort for families on low incomes in Scotland."
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week announced plans for a council tax rebate in England and Forbes today revealed how she would spend £290m to help families.
The centrepiece was £150 for households in receipt of council tax reduction and those living in property bands A to D.
The banding policy is not targeted, meaning it goes to households regardless of earnings.
Forbes said this would reach 73 per cent of all households in Scotland.
Kelly said: "People across Scotland are feeling the grip of poverty tighten on their lives, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. So it was deeply disappointing that Kate Forbes' announcement today mirrored the UK Government's misguided approach to the cost-of-living crisis.
“While any additional cash into people's pockets is welcome, the measures fail to properly target support at people on the lowest incomes. This was a missed opportunity to protect people living in poverty from the waves of hardship that threaten to overwhelm them, and a missed opportunity to right the wrong approach taken by the UK Government."
John Dickie of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland also criticised the council tax band element: “Council tax bands are a really ineffective way of targeting support at those who need it most. Many of those on the lowest incomes don’t pay council tax.
"And even by making payments to those who are entitled to council tax reduction, some households, who desperately need additional support, will miss out. What’s more many people in poverty who are entitled to council tax reduction do not know that they’re eligible for it. So it’s vital that further measure are taken to ensure those who don’t get payments paid through this route have access to other sources of cash support.”
Birt added: “While many people currently living in poverty will receive this small payment, many more people who are not in poverty will too, meaning the available funds are spread far too thinly.
“£150 will barely touch the sides of the gaping hole in many low-income households’ budgets, many of whom are already facing hunger, anxiety and debt.
“There was no perfect solution available to the Finance Secretary, but this isn’t a good one.”
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