SNP Government urged to spell out how it will use £40m Westminster funding for struggling households

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The SNP Government has been urged to spell out how it will use around £40 million in Westminster funding for struggling households.The UK Labour Government announced last month that it was extending the Household Support Fund this winter to help people with the cost of their energy, food and water.Councils in England directly received £421m, with £79m estimated for the devolved administrations in Barnett consequentials.

Reports have suggested that this would mean Scotland receives about £40m.Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar Graeme Downie has urged the Scottish Government to "pass this funding down to local authorities to help those most in need".He also questioned whether it will "disappear down the financial blackhole as [the SNP] seek to blame others for their own financial incompetence".The SNP Government has said it is yet to "receive confirmation of Barnett consequentials" for the fund and doesn't expect to until the Budget at the end of the month.Downie said: "We have heard nothing from the SNP about how they will use additional funding of around £40m given to them by the UK Labour government as a result of the decision to expand the Household Support Fund."Will they use this money to help people who would otherwise struggle to buy food or pay essential utility bills or will it disappear down the financial blackhole as they seek to blame others for their own financial incompetence?"As Councils struggle with funding after year after year of SNP austerity, passing this funding down to local authorities to help those most in need is the least they can do and I hope they will make their decisions soon so this money can help those most in need as quickly as possible."The Household Support Fund had initially been