Households in North Lanarkshire have received over £10m of support from the Scottish Government.
And that is something that has been welcomed by the Airdrie and Shotts MSP.
Neil Gray was speaking after it was revealed that households received just under £5.8m from low income pandemic payments and just over £5m from bridging payments to help families with children receiving free school meals.
The Scottish Government have therefore delivered more than £145m to over 530,000 low-income households across Scotland - that includes more than 143,000 school age children receiving bridging payments.
Mr Gray told Lanarkshire Live : “The pandemic has been incredibly difficult for so many families for a variety of reasons.
"Some have lost wages and jobs, others have seen an increase in heating bills, as we all spent more time at home. So I’m glad the SNP Scottish Government has been helping families in North Lanarkshire to get through this tough time with £10.8m of support.
"This is in addition to other Scottish low income benefits and the Scottish child payment.
“I know families in Airdrie and Shotts are going to continue to feel the pressure as we face a cost-of-living crisis, so it is reassuring to see the Scottish Government’s focus on helping those who need it most and their commitment to delivering bridging payments this year.
“Sadly, the contrast between the SNP Government in Holyrood and the Tories at Westminster could not be clearer.
"While the SNP is extending the Scottish child payment to under 16s and doubling the payment to £20 per week per child from April, the Tories are cutting support for those who need it most and implementing unfair tax hikes on households.
“It’s now beyond all doubt that Westminster is not working for people in Airdrie and Shotts.
"The only way to keep Scotland safe from Tory cuts is to become independent, with the full powers needed to build a fairer society.”
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