Food funding for island families welcomed

The Comhairle will receive an allocation of £147k from the fund, which is part of the larger £350m Communities Fund announced by Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell last month.

In a statement the Scottish Government said that local authorities across the country were being given the ‘flexibility’ to use the funds ‘to best meet emerging local needs and circumstances’.

The fund will support those ‘most in need including families with children who are eligible for free school meals, older people, those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women’.

A spokesperson for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar confirmed that discussions were now underway about “how best to disburse” the new funds.

Mr Allan said: “The coronavirus outbreak has brought enormous disruption to all of our lives, and unfortunately as a result some people will be concerned about accessing food.

“This investment will help those most at risk, such as older people and children eligible for free school meals, to access food through this unprecedented crisis.

“Free school meals are vital for families across the islands and are an important way of ensuring children receive the nutritious food they need. That is why it is so important that support continues while schools remain closed.

“This is just one part of the support the Scottish Government is providing to individuals and businesses to protect jobs and incomes.”

The Comhairle confirmed it has sufficient resources to administer a growing list of funds and grant schemes aimed at helping communities and businesses during the coronavirus emergency,

The Comhairle’s spokesperson said: “We believe resources will be sufficient to administer support programmes and funds and will redeploy employees as required as part of response to covid-19.”