MP Gavin Newlands has welcomed new figures outlining how vital housing support helped over 5,000 households across Renfrewshire last year.
The UK Government’s decision to slash housing support nine years ago left thousands of households facing a looming financial crisis and the prospect of being forced to uproot their families.
But the Scottish Government provides Discretionary Housing Payments to protect households from debt and mitigate the impact of the UK policy.
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Fresh statistics published week show Renfrewshire residents have benefited to the tune of over £2.8 million over the last financial years, with a total of 5,240 awards made to applicants across the county.
Since the Scottish Government started funding the payments in April 2017, over £343 million has been paid out to mitigate the effects of the austerity policies started under David Cameron and continued by his successors, over £78.9 million of that last year alone.
And £12.6 million of this total sum has gone to Renfrewshire citizens, providing vital help with housing costs that for many has made the difference between stability and being forced to move home.
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Mr Newlands, has hailed the new figures as helping fix a vital safety net.
He said: “These latest figures show clearly just how much the Scottish Government is spending to protect households facing eviction as a result of the UK Government’s actions.
“Renfrewshire households have received over £12 million through the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme over the last five years, money that has been vital in making sure families have stability during their toughest times.
“It shouldn’t fall on the Scottish Government to make up for the cruelty and extremism of Boris Johnson and his cabal. A fair social security system would ensure that the safety nets we have in place protect people from some of the worst inequalities in Western Europe.
“At a time when the cost-of-living crisis is pushing more and more people into poverty, making sure that safety net works should be a priority for the UK Government, not relying on the Scottish Government to make up the difference.
“The work done by the Scottish Government in building a social security system that is fair and treats people with dignity shows what can be done with the limited powers of devolution, and the potential of independence to take a different tack from Westminster in building a better society.”
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