Funding of £210,000 to help the 30,000 carers in Glasgow’s southside has been announced by the SNP Government.

Three carers centres, The Princess Royal Trust, and Glasgow South East and Glasgow South West centres, will each receive £70,000 as part of the Carers Information Strategy.

Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, sits on the Scottish Parliament’s health committee, and welcomed the announcement.

He said: “This money will make a huge difference for carers in the southside.

“This funding will allow money to be directed into specific areas that will benefit carers in each of the centres.

“The SNP is dedicated to supporting Scotland’s carers and we are committed to making their lives fairer.

“We recently announced eligibility for the Energy Assistance Package is to be extended to help carers who look after family and friends to reduce their fuel bills.”

It is estimated there are between 25,000 and 30,000 carers in the southside of Glasgow.

This money will benefit them through offering information and advice, help with benefits, one to one counselling, emotional support and the chance to meet other people in the same position, as well as services for young carers.

The strategy aims to identify more young carers and help them through running homework/study groups and organising residential trips.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson announced the funding at the Pollok Carers Centre.

Mr Matheson said: "Carers' Centres provide a wide range of crucial practical and emotional support, including information and advice, short breaks, counselling and training. Carers really value this support.

"This funding will help three centres in Glasgow support a variety of excellent initiatives to identify and support carers, such as providing specialist training for carers and residential trips for young carers.

“The Scottish Government greatly values the contribution made by carers and young carers in Scotland which is why we support worthwhile initiatives of this kind."