Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale dropped in to Dumbarton last week.

Ms Dugdale, who took on leadership of the party in , lent a hand with Jackie Baillie at Foodshare's storage centre in the town.

The politicians helped volunteers pack up bags of food ready to be distributed across West Dunbartonshire.

During the visit, Ms Dugdale outlined plans to give Scots who have fallen on hard times the option of either cash or in kind payments through the Scottish Welfare Fund.

The move has previously been supported by anti-poverty charities including the Child Poverty Action Group, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Poverty Alliance.

Ms Dugdale also outlined Labour’s further plans for a fairer social security system, which include ensuring that children leaving care and going into higher education get a full grant; abolishing the bedroom tax; raising carers' allowance to the same level as Jobseekers' Allowance; and doubling the Sure Start maternity grant.

It has been outlined in the party manifesto that Scottish Labour will use the new powers to establish a 50p top rate of tax for the richest one per cent to invest in schools.

Ms Dugdale said: “We can build a fairer Scotland with the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament if we are bold enough to actually use them.

“Labour will create a social security system with dignity at its heart and will give vulnerable Scots the option of cash or payments in kind.

“We can break from Tory austerity in social security and in public services. Hundreds of millions of pounds of cuts will hold our young people back from reaching their potential and grabbing opportunities that the next decade will bring.

“Under a Labour Scottish Government people will get the support they need when they fall on hard times and the resources they need to develop the skills for the jobs of the future."

Ms Baillie added: "I have been volunteering with West Dunbartonshire Foodshare for some time now and I am always struck by the incredible generosity of local people and the volunteers who give up so much of their own time to support local families.

“Labour will use the new powers to support families when they fall on hard times because we will never win the war against poverty if we rely on the work of charitable organisations alone."