Support for over 3,000 disabled people across Scotland will be safeguarded through the scheme, which will build on existing care through a £5.5m investment.

The UK Government’s support scheme is due to close in June 2015 and has been unavailable to new users since 2010. From 1 July 2015, SILF will take over in Scotland to ensure the protection of its users.

‘Everyone should have the same freedom, choice and dignity to live independently at home, at work and in the community,’ deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said...