Almost £9m of gift cards are to be sent out to low-income households in Glasgow next month.

The cards worth £105 each will be given out to 85,000 people across the city to help with the cost of living.

The cards can be used in 700 shops and businesses in Glasgow, registered with the Scotland Loves Local scheme.

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It is hoped the cards will help with household budgets and give the local economy a boost.

The total value of the cards is £8.85m, coming from the Scottish Government £80m Covid Recovery Fund.

Cards will be sent automatically to those who are eligible and people do not need to apply.

The council will use council tax data to identify low-income households who qualify for a council tax reduction who will then be issued with one of the gift cards.

Councillors approved the scheme today.

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Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The gift cards will give city businesses a much-needed lift following two years of the pandemic and the resulting impact on trade.

"But they also allow us to support tens of thousands of low-income households and individuals with practical assistance, something we hope can make a positive difference to them during the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

“While the number of businesses signed up to the scheme continues to grow, we’re still encouraging as many as possible - especially small and medium-sized companies - to sign up.

"We want local high streets across every one of Glasgow’s communities to benefit from this measure.”