Benefits victims in debt can access £7.4m fund

A NEW £7.45 million fund has been set up to help people struggling with debt and other problems because of benefit changes.

The Making Advice Work programme run by the Scottish Legal Aid Board is financed from money provided by the Scottish Government and the UK government’s Money Advice Service.

It includes £4m for projects providing advice, £2.5m towards initiatives run by social landlords for struggling tenants, and £1m for people who are in debt and face barriers to accessing help.

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “We are determined to do everything we can to help and as part of these efforts we have made available significant funding for advice and support.

“We want to ensure this helps the people of Scotland in the best possible way.”