More than £4.8m provided locally in benefits last year by Scottish Government

THE SCOTTISH Government provided people who live in Shetland with more than £4.8 million in support across 14 benefits in the last financial year, according to new analysis by Social Security Scotland.

The amount paid to people living in Shetland Islands is part of the £1.9 billion in direct payments throughout Scotland.

The 14 payments, seven of which are not available anywhere else in the UK, provide support while people deal with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Eligible people who get benefits through the Scottish Government include carers, disabled people and families, pensioners, young people starting jobs and people who need help paying for a funeral.

Cabinet secretary for social justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are committed to tackling poverty and supporting people throughout Scotland.

“At a time when families are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis we have been delivering 14 benefits, seven of which are only available in Scotland.

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“Winter Heating Payment is a reliable annual payment to people on low incomes in Scotland, including pensioners receiving Pension Credit. We continue to offer vital support to families through our five family payments, including Scottish Child Payment, which was helping support more than 329,000 children and young people by the end of 2023-24.

“We are focused on ensuring people get the money they are entitled to and that we deliver these payments while treating people with dignity, fairness and respect.”