Councils to get £600,000 to offset welfare reform

Scottish councils will be offered 600,000 pounds to offset the 'negative impacts' of welfare reform. Picture: PA

Authorities have four weeks to apply for a share of the money to make local services stronger.

The Scottish Government said previous schemes include one in Dundee which helps people on benefits access work opportunities through a personalised plan.

Welfare minister Margaret Burgess said: “The Scottish Government has already spent millions mitigating the effects of welfare reform and helped thousands of people across the country, but we cannot rest at that.

“We are determined to put in place preventative measures to stop future generations from feeling the effects of Westminster’s unfair reforms.

“By creating this new resilience fund we are supporting local councils to develop unique and innovative ways of delivering change in their own communities.

“The projects will need to show they can help build resilience in the face of adversity and mitigate the negative impacts of welfare reform.”

Welfare changes amount to a £4.5 billion cut over the five years to 2014-15, the Scottish Government said.

Applications for a share of the cash will be considered by a panel including the government, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Improvement Service.