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Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
More than £1m a year to help families with school clothing costs paid out by West Lothian Council
The council offers among the biggest grants in Scotland in administering the Scottish Government scheme. More than £1m a year to help families with school clothing costs has been paid out by West Lothian Council. The council offers among the biggest grants in Scotland in administering the Scottish Government scheme. With more than 7,000 children helped with school uniform costs, councillors heard that an update on funding qualification will ensure that as many as possible can continue to get support. Figures revealed to the council's Executive meeting showed that £1,206,450 was awarded in the school year 2022/23 to help 7,684 children; £1,255,530 in 2023/24 to help 7,882 and so far this year £1,187,250 to help 7,377. In her report Nahid Hanif, the council's Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'To mirror the Scottish Government Free School Meals (FSM) criteria would severely restrict the number of families who would qualify.' Councillors approved of a plan which will increase income thresholds for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) by the same percentage increase as the National Living Wage of 6.7%. Ms Hanif said: 'This approach would also allow us to maintain take-up levels and the support provided to low income households.' She added: 'The purpose of maintaining the UC earned income threshold in line with the increase in the living wage is to maintain the number of families supported by this vital financial award as the cost of the school day increases. 'As a comparison, for the 2024/25 Academic Year, only 5,262 pupils would have received a school clothing grant if the criteria for free school meals was used compared to 7,377 pupils who were awarded a grant using the current methodology.' The national level, set by Holyrood, suggests £120 for primary children and £150 for secondary age. However since 2021 West Lothian has paid £150 for primary children and £180 for secondary. West Lothian Council still remains one of the highest paying local authorities for grants, with Clackmannanshire, Highland and Shetland paying a higher amount. Only Falkirk and West Lothian use the same qualification calculations to allow as many families as possible to claim. Councillor Pauline Stafford, depute SNP group leader told the meeting: 'It's fantastic that we have one of the highest rates and the highest uptake.' Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem said: 'I really appreciate that you have looked at the human impact of the policy. It's obvious the difference this has made to many thousand more children across West Lothian.'
Edinburgh Reporter
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian Council helps more than 7,000 children with school clothing costs
More than £1m a year to help families with school clothing costs has been paid out by West Lothian council. The council offers among the biggest grants in Scotland in administering the Scottish Government scheme. With more than 7,000 children helped with school uniform costs, councillors heard that an update on funding qualification will ensure that as many as possible can continue to get support. Figures revealed to the council's Executive meeting showed that £1,206,450 was awarded in the school year 2022/23 to help 7,684 children; £1,255,530 in 2023/24 to help 7,882 and so far this year £1,187,250 to help 7,377. In her report Nahid Hanif, the council's Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'To mirror the Scottish Government Free School Meals (FSM) criteria would severely restrict the number of families who would qualify.' Councillors approved of a plan which will increase income thresholds for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) by the same percentage increase as the National Living Wage of 6.7%. Ms Hanif said: 'This approach would also allow us to maintain take-up levels and the support provided to low-income households.' She added: 'The purpose of maintaining the UC earned income threshold in line with the increase in the living wage is to maintain the number of families supported by this vital financial award as the cost of the school day increases. 'As a comparison, for the 2024/25 Academic Year, only 5,262 pupils would have received a school clothing grant if the criteria for free school meals was used compared to 7,377 pupils who were awarded a grant using the current methodology.' The national level, set by Holyrood, suggests £120 for primary children and £150 for secondary age. However, since 2021 West Lothian has paid £150 for primary children and £180 for secondary. West Lothian Council still remains one of the highest paying local authorities for grants, with Clackmannanshire, Highland and Shetland paying a higher amount. Only Falkirk and West Lothian use the same qualification calculations to allow as many families as possible to claim. Councillor Pauline Stafford, depute SNP group leader told the meeting: 'It's fantastic that we have one of the highest rates and the highest uptake.' Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem said: 'I really appreciate that you have looked at the human impact of the policy. It's obvious the difference this has made to many thousand more children across West Lothian.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
School clothing grants in West Lothian top £1 million as council helps struggling families
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info More than £1m a year to help families with school clothing costs has been paid out by West Lothian council. The council offers among the biggest grants in Scotland in administering the Scottish Government scheme. With more than 7,000 children helped with school uniform costs, councillors heard that an update on funding qualification will ensure that as many as possible can continue to get support. Figures revealed to the council's Executive meeting showed that £1,206,450 was awarded in the school year 2022/23 to help 7,684 children; £1,255,530 in 2023/24 to help 7,882 and so far this year £1,187,250 to help 7,377. In her report Nahid Hanif, the council's Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'To mirror the Scottish Government Free School Meals (FSM) criteria would severely restrict the number of families who would qualify.' Councillors approved of a plan which will increase income thresholds for applicants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) by the same percentage increase as the National Living Wage of 6.7%. Ms Hanif said: 'This approach would also allow us to maintain take-up levels and the support provided to low income households.' She added: 'The purpose of maintaining the UC earned income threshold in line with the increase in the living wage is to maintain the number of families supported by this vital financial award as the cost of the school day increases. 'As a comparison, for the 2024/25 Academic Year, only 5,262 pupils would have received a school clothing grant if the criteria for free school meals was used compared to 7,377 pupils who were awarded a grant using the current methodology.' The national level, set by Holyrood, suggests £120 for primary children and £150 for secondary age. However since 2021 West Lothian has paid £150 for primary children and £180 for secondary. West Lothian Council still remains one of the highest paying local authorities for grants, with Clackmannanshire, Highland and Shetland paying a higher amount. Only Falkirk and West Lothian use the same qualification calculations to allow as many families as possible to claim. Councillor Pauline Stafford, depute SNP group leader told the meeting: "It's fantastic that we have one of the highest rates and the highest uptake." Councillor Sally Pattle, Lib Dem said: 'I really appreciate that you have looked at the human impact of the policy. It's obvious the difference this has made to many thousand more children across West Lothian.'
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian's share of national welfare fund stays the same despite rising demands
A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. West Lothian's share of the national Scottish Welfare Fund has been kept at last year's level despite an expected growth in applications and rising costs. A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. Evidence from last year showed that tightening the qualification for payouts from the fund did nothing to reduce the numbers qualifying. This year West Lothian has received £1,134,538 to cover funding and £171,715 administration funding. The carry forward budget for 2025/26 will increase the programme funding starting position to approximately £1.7 million. Local authorities have administered the Scottish Welfare Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since April 2013. The fund consists of two grants: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Crisis Grants meet short term financial emergencies and Community Care Grants provide furniture for homes to help applicants set up or maintain their home. In her report to the Executive, Nahid Hanif, the Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'There are currently no Crisis Grants outstanding for 2024/25 but at the time of drafting this report there were 98 Community Care Grants still to process. 'The amount spent in 2024/25 is £1,120,274 (not including the 98 CCG cases still to be assessed). It is estimated that from the additional monies provided by SG in December 2024, a carry forward of approximately £550,000 will be realised after the residual cases are processed.' Ms Hanif added: 'It is important to note that the administration budget provided by Scottish Government does not cover the cost of running the Scottish Welfare Fund scheme' In the last year the Scottish Government provided admin costs of £251,715 (this included a one-off £80,000 provided along with the additional funding in November). However the actual cost to council was £471,618, with £219,903 funded from council coffers. For a six week period in the Autumn and Winter last year qualifications for help were reclassified from High to High Most Compelling ( HMC) because of the pressure on funds. It was only after the Scottish Government stepped in in late November and pumped more money into the national fund that qualification rules were relaxed back to High. The qualification remains as High for this year's funding though this may have to be reviewed as the year progresses. Ms Hanif said: 'The move to HMC did not reduce the number of applicants who met the qualifying criteria to be considered for a grant. However, savings are made because the amount of financial support or household goods awarded on HMC is significantly restricted because the applicant needs to be severely vulnerable and at extreme risk of losing their tenancy, or there is a severe risk to them or their families well-being. 'In comparison, on High Priority the applicant only needs to be highly vulnerable therefore is more likely to be awarded a slightly higher financial award or receive more household goods.' The report added that other changes introduced last month also relax income rules for qualification, tying them to the numbers in a household, thus potentially giving more leeway in the application process. Councillors on the Executive agreed the report with comment.
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Welfare fund award pegged at last year's level
West Lothian's share of the national Scottish Welfare Fund has been kept at last year's level despite an expected growth in applications and rising costs. A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. Evidence from last year showed that tightening the qualification for payouts from the fund did nothing to reduce the numbers qualifying. This year West Lothian has received £1,134,538 to cover funding and £171,715 administration funding. The carry forward budget for 2025/26 will increase the programme funding starting position to approximately £1,700,000. Local authorities have administered the Scottish Welfare Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since April 2013. The fund consists of two grants: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Crisis Grants meet short term financial emergencies and Community Care Grants provide furniture for homes to help applicants set up or maintain their home. In her report to the Executive, Nahid Hanif, the Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'There are currently no Crisis Grants outstanding for 2024/25 but at the time of drafting this report there were 98 Community Care Grants still to process. 'The amount spent in 2024/25 is £1,120,274 (not including the 98 CCG cases still to be assessed). It is estimated that from the additional monies provided by SG in December 2024, a carry forward of approximately £550,000 will be realised after the residual cases are processed.' Ms Hanif added: 'It is important to note that the administration budget provided by Scottish Government does not cover the cost of running the Scottish Welfare Fund scheme' In the last year the Scottish Government provided admin costs of £251,715 (this included a one-off £80,000 provided along with the additional funding in November). However, the actual cost to council was £471,618, with £219,903 funded from council coffers. For a six-week period in the Autumn and Winter last year qualifications for help were reclassified from High to High Most Compelling (HMC) because of the pressure on funds. It was only after the Scottish Government stepped in in late November and pumped more money into the national fund that qualification rules were relaxed back to High. The qualification remains as High for this year's funding though this may have to be reviewed as the year progresses. Ms Hanif said: 'The move to HMC did not reduce the number of applicants who met the qualifying criteria to be considered for a grant. However, savings are made because the amount of financial support or household goods awarded on HMC is significantly restricted because the applicant needs to be severely vulnerable and at extreme risk of losing their tenancy, or there is a severe risk to them or their families well-being. 'In comparison, on High Priority the applicant only needs to be highly vulnerable therefore is more likely to be awarded a slightly higher financial award or receive more household goods.' The report added that other changes introduced last month also relax income rules for qualification, tying them to the numbers in a household, thus potentially giving more leeway in the application process. Councillors on the Executive agreed the report with comment. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
