MSP Kenneth Gibson has welcomed a Scottish Government led initiative to support local families in financially challenging times.


The Scottish Government has provided 4,816 North Ayrshire families with a £100 Covid winter hardship payment to support them through a difficult time. 
The payments were paid to families in receipt of free school meals.
A total of £481,600 was paid out in North Ayrshire and more than £14 million across Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson said: “This has been a difficult winter for families in North Ayrshire already dealing with financial hardship.
“While the Tories at Westminster plan to slash Universal Credit and the £20 uplift when families need it most, the Scottish Government is committed to giving every child the best start in life.
“Alongside introducing the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Food Grants, payments like this £100 can make a difference to people when they need it most.
“Scotland will build a new social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect when we have full responsibility of all Scotland's affairs.”