Paisley’s MSP, George Adam, has welcomed confirmation that Paisley families unable to access food due to coronavirus will get support from the Scottish Government.
Local authorities are sharing £30 million of new investment from the Scottish Government Food Fund to support those struggling.
Renfrewshire Council have been allocated £1.063 million from the fund, which is one part of the £350 million Communities Fund.
This funding will support those most in need including families with children who are eligible for free school meals, older people, those with long-term health conditions, and pregnant women.
Councils will have the flexibility to use this additional resource in ways that best meet emerging local needs and circumstances, working with community groups and businesses to support home delivery, provide financial help and meet dietary requirements.
Commenting, George Adam, said:
“Coronavirus has brought enormous disruption to all of our lives, and some people will be concerned about accessing food. This is a distressing enough time with families and friends separated and unable to visit loved ones without having to worry about food or where their next meal is coming from.
“This investment will help those in Paisley who are most at risk – such as older people and children eligible for free school meals – to access food through this unprecedented crisis. I hope this will go a long way in helping to ease one worry many families will have right now.
“Free school meals are vital for families across Paisley and are an important way of ensuring children receive the nutritious food they need. That is why it is so important that support continues while schools remain closed.
“This is just one part of the support the Scottish Government is providing to individuals and businesses to protect jobs and incomes which we continue to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.”
The £350 million Communities Fund was announced by Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell on 18 March 2020.
Since it was announced, over £100 million of new support has been delivered to local authorities to assist their efforts. This includes £50 million in hardship funding, £22 million to bolster the Scottish Welfare Fund and £30 million from the Food Fund.
The guidance shared with local authorities outlines seven key principles to support local thinking about how funding can best be targeted and deployed.
People worried about food during the COVID-19 crisis should therefore contact their local authority for further information on the help and support available to them.