Hard-pressed families across North Ayrshire will be given extra support during the summer holidays after measures were approved by the council's cabinet.
The Scottish Government's economic Covid recovery fund will see an allocation of £2.154 million for the region and the North Ayrshire economic Covid recovery fund investment plan is also offering support.
Holyrood already provides child bridging payment funding to local authorities for each child in receipt of free school meals on the basis of low income.
These payments are provided for all eligible children and young people of school age, totalling £520 a year and they are currently paid in four installments at £130 for each eligible child.
To help address current cost of living pressures and to recognise the needs of families of children of pre-school age, the scheduled summer child bridging payment of £130 be increased to £230 and that eligibility for the £100 payment is extended to low-income families of children of pre-school age.
It is estimated that the £100 payment will benefit around 5,700 children (over 3,300 families) with payments made from late June.
A public transport travel scheme is also being introduced, with three months of free access to bus or rail travel to support low-income households and individuals returning to work.
Beneficiaries would be supported with a free personalised travel plan to identify the best travel option.
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