Jackie Baillie has reacted with fury that West Dunbartonshire Council aren’t passing on a £150 cost of living payment to people who need it now.

The Scottish Government last month announced that households in council tax brackets A to D would get a one-off £150 payment.

But the SNP-led West Dunbartonshire Council last week told how this would be deducted from council tax bills rather than being given to people as a one-off lump sum. The saving would therefore be realised over a period of 10 months.

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “I am furious about this and have been inundated with complaints from residents who are quite rightly aggrieved by this move from the SNP council.

“This payment is needed by households who are struggling now. Household costs are rising at astronomical rates and people are trying to pay their winter heating bills right now.

“They cannot wait to get this discount on their bill each month and it seems at odds with how the SNP government described this payment when they announced it as part of their budget.

“The Labour Party proposed a windfall tax on oil and gas industries which would put up to £600 into the pockets of households in Scotland but both the SNP and Tories voted against this.

“This is a shameful move. I have written to both the Scottish Government and West Dunbartonshire Council regarding this on behalf of hard-pressed residents who feel as though they have been promised this cash but then being told to wait for it.

“Just last week, I told how council tax arrears in West Dunbartonshire had hit £8million. With this £150 being paid into people’s council tax accounts, it won’t even be getting to those who need it but will be used towards arrears.

“There is more to be done to help people struggling with a cost of living crisis right now. A good start would be for the council to give people the help now rather than spreading it thinly over 10 months.”