A Glasgow MP said the deadline to apply for the cost of living payment should be extended.

Anne McLaughlin, Glasgow North East MP is calling on the UK Government to leave more time for people to apply for financial support.

Those eligible can claim £650 for pension credits until Thursday this week.

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She said: “With the price cap set to rise every three months more and more people will be renewing energy contracts and seeing huge jumps in their monthly costs.

"With that in mind, the Tory government should be doing everything they can to help people, not cutting them off from an entitlement they may not even know about until it is too late.”

In an attempt to get as many people in her constituency signed up as possible, the MP has been writing to her constituents to ask them to apply this week or to speak to friends and relatives who may be eligible.

With support from Age Scotland, her office is holding meetings with local residents to assist with the application process and handing out information on how to apply from home.

The charity has a campaign to drive uptake in pension credits, to combat an estimated £35 million going unclaimed in Glasgow every year.

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Mrs McLaughlin added: “This is an entitlement that people should have no hesitation in claiming and the money will be much better in the pockets of Glaswegians, many of whom will be facing immense difficulties because of decisions taken in Westminster by the UK Government.

"I will continue to press ministers to extend the deadline but I would encourage everyone to check if they are eligible and get their applications in by Thursday this week."