Scottish government £100m winter support fund includes measures to tackle digital exclusion of older people

The Scottish government announced a 100 million pound sterling in a government funding package to support families and children through the winter; including measures to tackle digital exclusion among older people. In addition to supporting people to pay for food, heating, warm clothing, and shelter during the colder months, the fund will provide 5.9 million pound to boost digital inclusion for older people to help prevent social isolation and loneliness, and to promote equality between generations. This will be fulfilled through the existing Connecting Scotland programme which aims to get 50 000 people online by 2021. ‘So I am announcing today a £100 million package to bridge that gap, and help others struggling most with the impact of COVID over the winter months. It will include money to help people pay their fuel bills and make sure children don’t go hungry. It will offer additional help for the homeless, and fund an initiative to get older people online and connected,’ noted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.