£6 million paid to help Glasgow residents with heating bills
Social Security Scotland paid a total of £6,227,000 to more than 87,340 people across the city to help with their heating bills in 2024/2025.
Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to those who receive certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people, or older people.
Read more: Glasgow charity helping pupils from different faiths work together
The payment replaced the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Cold Weather Payment in Scotland.
Winter Heating Payment is a guaranteed payment that everyone who is eligible receives, regardless of the weather.
For 2024/2025, a total of 81,655 Winter Heating Payments, worth £4,797,000, were made.
As well as 5,685 Child Winter Heating Payments, worth £1,430,000.
The figures, taken from statistics released on April 29, show that 95 per cent of Winter Heating Payments were made by last December and 93 per cent of Child Winter Heating Payments were made by last October.
Read more: Plan to dispose of Glasgow City Council building sparks fear over 'loss'
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "We have issued over 505,100 payments to families on low incomes, and those supporting children or young people with a disability, to help with the cost of heating their homes.
"Many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills.
"The importance of these payments was brought home to everyone this month with the Energy Price Cap rising by 6.4 per cent.
"Ofgem estimates that this will add £9.25 a month to the typical household's energy bill.
"This year we will also be providing extra support to pensioners.
"While the DWP's Winter Fuel Payment will only be available to some pensioners, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will provide money to every pensioner household in the country.
"The Scottish Government will continue to protect pensioners and people on low incomes in Scotland."
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