£52m of winter aid given to shivering Scots, says Michael Moore

The UK government has spent more than £50 million to help some of the most vulnerable in Scotland cope with the recent cold snap, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has claimed.

Mr Moore said there had been just over two million separate cold-weather payments in Scotland between 23 November and 18 January, totalling around 52.3 million of financial assistance to disabled adults and children, the elderly and families with young children who receive benefits.

"The coalition government is committed to supporting the vulnerable in Scotland, and the cold-weather payments are just one example of the steps we are taking to make sure people can cope with difficult weather conditions," he said. "The 52 million Scots have received is money well spent."

The minister said he had met with energy companies, including Scottish & Southern, Scottish Gas and ScottishPower, in December to discuss the issue of fuel poverty.

"My discussions with the big six energy companies were very useful and I pressed home the importance of maintaining social tariffs to protect those who need most help with their bills," he added.

"I also know families and businesses have concerns over rising energy costs, and we will continue to work with the energy companies closely."

At the spending review at Westminster in October, the government announced it would make temporary cold weather payment increases a permanent feature. They are triggered when temperatures at local weather stations dip below an average of zero degrees over a week.

Around 437,500 people in Scotland have received help from the payment scheme, while many will also have received winter fuel allowance payments, available to anyone aged 60 or over.