Expenditure on crisis grants in Scotland up by 145 per cent in April 2020 compared to April 2019

Scottish Government publishes management information ahead of scheduled quarterly statistics due to 'heightened interest' in impact of COVID-19 on Scottish Welfare Fund

Expenditure on crisis grants in Scotland was up by 145 per cent in April 2020 compared to April 2019, according to new figures from the Scottish Government.

Introducing management information on Scottish Welfare Fund applications and expenditure from January to April 2020, the Scottish Government says that -

'This information is being published ahead of the formal quarterly Official Statistics due to the impact of COVID-19 on the Scottish Welfare Fund and heightened interest in these estimates. It is not currently possible to release this information as Official Statistics as the information has not been quality assured to the required standards.'

The Scottish Government goes on to highlight that -

'In April 2020 the management information shows an increase in crisis grant applications (+88 per cent compared to April 2019) and expenditure (+145 per cent compared to April 2019). Crisis grant expenditure continues to be higher than Community Care Grant expenditure. This is likely to have been due to COVID-19.

At the same time, applications and expenditure for community care grants appears to have decreased (-25 per cent and -49 per cent respectively). This may represent a real decrease in demand for community care grants, or may be due to delays in recording and processing community care grants. This may become clearer in future months.'

The Management information on Scottish Welfare Fund applications and expenditure to April 2020 is available from gov.scot