East Lothian families with disabled children received payments worth £95,000 to help with heating costs during winter.

Thousands of families of disabled children and young people received an additional £214.10 to help heat their homes during winter, according to the latest official statistics from Child Winter Heating Assistance.

Nearly 450 payments worth £95,000 were made for winter 2022/23 in East Lothian, £30,000 more than for winter 2021/22.

In total, more than £225,000 in Child Winter Heating Assistance payments have been issued in East Lothian since the benefit launched in November 2020.

The payment is made automatically once a year and will be increased by 10.1 per cent to £235.70 for winter 2023/24.

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, cabinet secretary for social justice, said: “The cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills mean that families are struggling more than ever.

“Getting this money to families who may need to heat their homes for longer than others over the winter months provides crucial financial support and eases financial pressure at a challenging time of year.”