Families scoop £2.8m towards heating bills

Last winter more than 38,975 children and families across North Lanarkshire enjoyed warmer homes after receiving a total of £2,899,000 towards their heating bills from Social Security Scotland.

- IAN BUNTING

Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who get certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people.

It has replaced the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Cold Weather Payment in Scotland.

It is a guaranteed payment that everyone who is eligible receives, no matter what the weather.

Cold Weather Payment is only paid if the average temperature falls - or is forecast to fall - to freezing or below for a full week.