Jackie Baillie has told how she is worried that people haven’t been getting the support they need at the right time as it emerged over half of the money paid out by West Dunbartonshire Council in self-isolation grants was handed over in a single month.

A total of £718,500 has been paid out in West Dunbartonshire between October 2020 and November 2021 however some £391,500 of this was given to successful applicants in October 2021 alone.

The Self-Isolation Support Grant fund which opened in October 2020 is targeted at low-income workers struggling financially because of Covid.  

The Dumbarton constituency MSP last week secured support from the Scottish Government for a review to be carried out to ensure the level of funding from the grant was high enough to at least match the National Living Wage.

If someone currently works full time at the National Living Wage, they would earn less than their usual pay over a 10-day isolation period if they are successful in claiming the grant, which is capped at £500.

This crucial funding is supposed to ensure that no-one has to choose between following public health advice to stay at home and paying the bills.

The MSP for Dumbarton constituency has previously raised the issue with the First Minister in Parliament after having been inundated by correspondence from constituents forced to wait up to 11 weeks to receive the vital grant from West Dunbartonshire Council. The Council subsequently employed more staff to deal with the backlog in applications.

Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton constituency said: “No-one should face a choice between keeping themselves or others safe or putting food on the table. 

“This grant is both a lifeline for countless people and a crucial public health measure.

“Council staff are working tirelessly to try and get people the support they need but it’s clear the system hasn’t been working as it needs to. 

“It is important that the money from the Scottish Government is reaching councils at a pace that allows them to distribute the funds in a timely manner.

“I was pleased that the Scottish Government backed my very reasonable amendment in parliament last week to carry out a review of the level of the grant to make sure no-one is out of pocket for following the rules.”

Meanwhile Argyll and Bute Council recorded the lowest proportion in Scotland of grants being awarded.

Just 30 percent of applications were successful across the authority area – lower than the Scottish average of 51 percent. In West Dunbartonshire, 69 percent of applications were successful.