The pandemic was not going to wait for us to think through how to deal with it in the way in which we would take forward a policy when there was no pandemic or other emergency going on. We had to move swiftly to ensure that we looked after people who had been told that they had to stay home to protect themselves.
We did that in partnership with local government. From the very start, I was involved in many discussions and calls with COSLA and SOLACE as we worked through what we had to do, and we were heavily guided by their input. We had to work quickly to ensure that people had the option of being supported to access food, which was why we took forward the food packages that continue to be delivered by Brakes and Bidfood to those who want them.
On food insecurity, as the weeks have progressed, we have managed to work more collaboratively to ensure that people feel supported. We have used the best local intel and infrastructure and supported that nationally when we needed to. There has been a blend of support for people who are marginalised, vulnerable or shielded. We have gained from the best expertise at national and local levels, including from third sector organisations. For instance, we have provided support to Food Train, which works in a number of local authorities around the country providing support and food to elderly people.
We have given £15 million directly to local authorities so that they can do their own thing on food insecurity. On top of that, we have given organisations such as FareShare more resource so that they can purchase food for people who need to access emergency support. A lot of the preparation that we did with food organisations and food groups in anticipation of a no-deal Brexit built up local infrastructure, connections and relationships that have been invaluable in enabling us to respond as swiftly as we did. We will continue to build on that.
Moreover, we have given local authorities the Scottish welfare fund top-up, so that if people find themselves in crisis, they can access funding that provides them with the dignity of being able to purchase food in the way in which they want.
I am vexed to hear that people feel that there has been command and control, as that has not been the intention. The intention and the focus has been to support those who are most vulnerable and to ensure that they are kept safe and well. There might have been a few bumps at the start—who knows?—but it was an emergency situation.
On the issue of food alone, we now have phenomenal working relationships. Our response is not about just national or local government; it brings together communities, third sector organisations and the retail sector, and it is delivering well around the country.
If Andy Wightman wants to raise individual concerns, I am happy to listen. We do not want local authorities to feel that they are not being listened to or respected, or that their infrastructure has been overlooked.