Nearly 700,000 Scots families receive second cost of living payment

Almost 700,000 households in Scotland are now estimated to have received a second payment of £326 to help with the cost of living.

The payment began to be distributed to eligible families from November 8.

It is the second instalment in a £650 cost of living support package being paid out by the UK Government.

Households with low-income received £324 in July, with those eligible being urged to apply to receive the payment.

The Department for Work and Pensions has stated that those who have not yet received their second payment should not be concerned as it may take until November 23 for some payments to come through.

To be eligible for the £324 cost of living payment, claimants must have been entitled to one of the qualifying benefits between August 26 and September 25.

HMRC is also making payments to more than a million families who only receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will set out the Government’s Autumn Statement on Thursday.

It is anticipated that Hunt will announce public spending cuts and tax rises.

“We know families are struggling with the rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” said Hunt.

“That is why we’ve delivered over seven million cash payments directly into the bank accounts of the most vulnerable households in just one week and will make over a million more to those on tax credits later this month.

“This is part of the £1,200 cash support we’re giving to the poorest members of society during this difficult period.

“At the upcoming Autumn Statement we will continue to prioritise helping the most vulnerable, as we make the tough decisions needs to drive down inflation and fix our public finances.”

Scotland minister John Lamont outlined the Government’s “continued commitment” to helping low income households in Scotland.

He said: “I’m pleased to be able to confirm that almost 700,000 families in Scotland have now benefited from the latest cost of living payment.

“This reflects the UK Government’s continued commitment to support the lowest income households in Scotland and throughout the UK through the current challenging period and beyond.”