Question reference: S5W-32386
- Date lodged: 8 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 28 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it plans to provide to the Victims' Fund, in light of Victim Support Scotland’s recent announcement that it requires at least double the amount of investment that was initially put into the Fund in March 2020.
Answer
In response to the pandemic, the Scottish Government provided Victim Support Scotland with a grant increase for 2020-21 of £70,000 to enable them to increase the Victims’ Fund from £30,000 to £100,000.
Since April, the Fund has supported over 200 individuals who have been in urgent need of financial help. Victims are accessing support worth up to £3,000 for food vouchers, help with bills and practical assistance for domestic abuse victims who may have to urgently leave their homes, amongst other types of support.
Victim Support Scotland has subsequently been able to use more of its 2020-21 grant award of £4,708,700 from the Scottish Government to add to the Victims’ Fund.