Anger as £150 cost of living grant is used to reduce council tax

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Scottish Government has been accused of failing those most in need because its £150 grant to help with the soaring cost of living won’t be paid in a lump sum.

It’s instead showing as a deduction in annual council tax bills. That means people who pay by direct debit are seeing their monthly bills reduce by about £12 – far from the £150 injection of cash.

All eligible households, who are in Bands A to D, received letters by post last week detailing the payment arrangements.But anti-poverty groups say the money should have been given as a one-off £150 payment to allow people to feed their families or heat their homes instead of clearing off their council tax bills.John Dickie, director of Child Poverty Action Group, said: “We think there were better ways of getting a £150 cash payment to families, particularly those on low incomes who are looking for immediate financial relief.“We hope lessons can be learned by the Scottish Government so that any future support is provided by direct cash payments and make sure those who are suffering the most benefit the most.”John said there are other tried and tested ways the money could have been paid directly, either by the councils or through the social security system.The Poverty Alliance also called for the £150 to be paid directly.

Its policy and campaigns manager Neil Cowan said: “People living in the grip of poverty tell us that cash payments in their pockets are the best way to protect them from deeper hardship.“Councils should be providing direct payments instead of a council tax rebate.”Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced the one-off £150 Cost of Living Award last month.Sean Clerkin, of the Scottish Tenants Organisation, said: “Many people are rightly unhappy about