£7m aid for Scots hit by welfare reforms

Services supporting people affected by welfare reform are to benefit from £7 million funding in 2014-15, the Scottish Government has said.

Nicola Sturgeon and Rami Mohamed, 3, at OPFSs dropin base. Picture: HEMEDIA

This includes £3.5m for advice services, £1m to help local authorities and other organisations, and £2.5m for anti-poverty projects.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said single parent families would be worse off as a result of Westminster welfare reforms when she announced the funding at a One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) drop-in centre in Glasgow.

Ms Sturgeon said: “It is vital vulnerable people get the help and support they need during these tough economic times. Westminster’s welfare reforms and the impact on the poorest in our society make this even more important.”

OPFS, which advises and supports lone parents, said Scottish Government funding let them help 300 families over the last nine months.

Director Satwat Rehman said: “Cuts to benefits, including sanctions implemented by Jobcentre Plus, have hit single parents hard, as living costs have risen steeply. Many want to return to employment but cannot always get the flexible childcare and family friendly employment they need.”