THE 85,000 households eligible to receive a £105 spending boost from Glasgow City Council will receive a letter dropping through their door in the next few days.

Households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction as of June 1, 2022, are being urged to watch out for envelopes branded with “Love local, love Glasgow”.

They contain letters detailing important information about using Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Cards when they are delivered to their homes in mid-August.

Recipients must keep their letters safe, as each contains an activation code unique to them. 

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The 85,000 cards that we’ll soon be sending out will secure a double benefit for communities across Glasgow.

“They will give extra spending power to lower-income households, right across the city, at a time when they are facing the worst pressures in decades – but they will also deliver a much-needed economic stimulus and a real boost to local businesses in our high streets, while they are still recovering from the Covid pandemic.

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“It’s really important that people keep the first letter they receive safe, so they are able to activate their card and enjoy all the benefits of shopping local – and that businesses take a look at how the scheme can work for them.”

The Glasgow gift cards can only be spent within the city and with businesses registered to accept them.

More than 700 places - including shops, places to eat, salons and visitor attractions - have so far signed up, and the drive to increase that number continues.

While the card values alone will deliver a one-off injection of more than £8m into city firms, it's believed the scheme has the power to unlock millions of pounds more for the economy by encouraging people to spend more time in their local area.

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The gift card is an extension of the Scotland Loves Local campaign, the drive led by Scotland’s Towns Partnership’s (STP) for people to help their communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic by supporting local businesses.

Phil Prentice, STP chief officer, said: “We know that people are keen to get out and start using their Scotland Loves Local Glasgow Gift Cards, which is great.

“Glasgow City Council is breaking new ground for the scale in which the cards are used to directly support people.

“This will help households trying to manage the cost of living and businesses as they work to build a better post-pandemic future. It’s about local people supporting each other.”

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Funding for the project has come via a £9.45m Covid Economic Recovery Funding package awarded to the council by the Scottish Government.

Data from the council tax system has been used to identify households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

Those eligible will be sent both the first letter and the gift card. There is no application process, as entitlement is automatic.

Find out more at glasgow.gov.uk/loveslocal.