ALMOST £50million worth of benefits has been paid to people in East Ayrshire, according to latest figures.

The data, published this week, runs from April 1, 2023 until March 31, 2024.

It shows that Scottish Government benefit spending increased by £34.4m across the country.

Over £49.6m was paid out to people within our local authority area across 14 benefits categories.

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The amount paid to people living in East Ayrshire is part of the £1.9 billion in direct payments throughout Scotland.

The 14 payments, seven of which are not available anywhere else in the UK, aim to provide essential support while people deal with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. 

400,000 people were boosted by winter hearing payments by February this year, with the Scottish child payment supporting over 329,000 children and young people at the end of March 2024.

The results of the organisation’s annual Client Survey have also been published, showing that 90% of people who responded and received a benefit payment from Social Security Scotland say their overall experience was ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

A further 89% said they were treated with kindness. 

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Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, said:  “We are committed to tackling poverty and supporting people throughout Scotland. 

"At a time when families are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis we have been delivering 14 benefits, seven of which are only available in Scotland.    

“Winter Heating Payment is a reliable annual payment to people on low incomes in Scotland, including pensioners receiving Pension Credit. 

"We continue to offer vital support to families through our five family payments, including Scottish Child Payment, which was helping support more than 329,000 children and young people by the end of 2023-24.   

“We are focused on ensuring people get the money they are entitled to and that we deliver these payments while treating people with dignity, fairness and respect.”