THOUSANDS of carers across North Ayrshire will have benefitted from a cash boost provided by the Scottish Government in the last year.

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) allows payments of up to £452 per annum after being introduced by Holyrood in September 2018.

And new statistics highlight that over 3,000 carers across the region will have felt the rewards of the system.

A total of 3,370 benefitted from the extra money.

The CAS is an additional payment made to carers in the country twice a year as a sign of recognition of the important contribution they make to society.

The sum total for the year equates to roughly an extra £8.50 per week.

This is a 13 per cent increase on the Carer’s Allowance from the UK parliament.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire said: “Carers in North Ayrshire make an absolutely vital contribution to our society and it’s only appropriate that their hard work is valued and they are properly supported.

“I am delighted that carers are being recognised for their important contributions.”

In East Ayrshire 2,990 carers received the boost and 2,215 in South Ayrshire.