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Financial support to be made available for those facing financial hardship and who have to self-isolate


By Alan Hendry

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Maree Todd says no-one should be forced to decide between supporting their families or self-isolating.
Maree Todd says no-one should be forced to decide between supporting their families or self-isolating.

A new Scottish Government grant helping those on low incomes to self-isolate has been welcomed by north MSP Maree Todd, who said it would make a difference to people across the Highlands and Islands.

The Self-Isolation Support Grant will help those who would lose income if they needed to self-isolate because of coronavirus, such as those unable to carry out their work from home. The £500 grant will be targeted at people who receive Universal Credit or legacy benefits, with some discretion to be made to others in financial hardship.

Applications are due to open from October 12 and will be delivered through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund, which is administered by local authorities.

Ms Todd, SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “Asking those who are already facing financial hardship to self-isolate for 14 days is a big ask. Nobody should be forced to decide between supporting their families or self-isolating.

"I’m pleased to see the Scottish Government recognise this in its Self-Isolation Support Grant, which I know will make a difference to people across the Highlands and Islands.”

Analysis by Highlands and Islands Enterprise shows unemployment in the region has increased at a higher rate than the rest of Scotland.

“With evidence that unemployment rates in the Highlands and Islands have increased at a faster rate, this will have left many people across the region in a vulnerable financial situation," Ms Todd said. "Therefore it is absolutely vital that we support people to do the right thing and self-isolate.

“We know that the prevalence of Covid-19 is rising throughout the Highlands and Islands, which means more and more people will be asked to self-isolate – a necessary step in suppressing the virus.

“The Self-Isolation Support Grant will aid compliance, help slow the spread of the virus and keep our communities safe.”

Scotland's social security secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Self-isolation can be tough, but it is essential to protect people and reduce the spread of coronavirus. To ensure people do not experience financial hardship as a result of doing the right thing, we are introducing this new £500 grant for people on low incomes who have been told to self-isolate.

“We want to do everything we can to support people throughout this challenging time and these payments will help ensure people do not have to make a choice between self-isolating and supporting themselves financially.

“While we continue to press the UK government for clarity around consequential funding for the support scheme it recently announced, it is essential that we act swiftly so that people who need support are able to access it. I am glad that the scheme has the support of local authorities and that we have a means of delivering it.”

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