FIGURES released from the Scottish Welfare Fund underline the need for a ‘stronger safety net’ for West Dunbartonshire, MSP Jackie Baillie has said.

A crisis grant aims to help people on a low income who fall into severe financial hardship because of an unexpected expense – such as a boiler breaking down, or a disaster like a flood or fire.

In West Dunbartonshire there was a 31 per cent increase in community care grants used to help people live independently last year.

In the last year alone, more than 100,000 Scots did not claim the tax credits they were entitled to, missing out on a total of £428m.

In total, Scots are missing out on over £2bn of social security payments, including tax and pensions credits, housing benefit, carers allowance and council tax reduction.

Ms Baillie said: “Hundreds of thousands of Scots are one unexpected bill away from being in real trouble.

“In West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute we are seeing over £80,000 given out in crisis grants and a huge rise in community care grants.

“We need to ensure our system supports people properly in the first place so fewer have to turn to crisis grants. We need a stronger safety net.

“Making sure, in law, that cash goes to the people who are entitled to it could make a huge difference to people in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh.”