A NEW £50,000 fund that will install call-blocking technology for those most at risk from nuisance calls across the whole of Fife has been welcomed by Kinglassie MSP Jenny Gilruth.

The fund forms a key part of the Scottish Government’s Nuisance Calls Action Plan, which will raise awareness of the issue of scam and nuisance calls and empower people to protect themselves from scams. Statistics have shown that Scotland is disproportionately affected by nuisance calls.

The Scottish Government has consistently taken action to tackle nuisance calls, forcing the UK Government at Westminster to adopt legislation that punishes company directors if their organisations are found in breach of the law on nuisance calls.

Commenting, Jenny Gilruth MSP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife, said: “This new £50,000 fund is great news for people across Glenrothes, Kinglassie and Levenmouth – with Scotland disproportionately affected by this issue.

“Nuisance calls are irritating for many people – and we need to be vigilant as they can be scams and leave people out of pocket as they target the elderly and vulnerable".

She added: “This fund will ensure those most at risk from these calls can get the protection they need and call-blocking technology can be installed.

“This is part of our wider strategy to support people across my constituency who might be affected by these calls – with the Scottish Government’s Nuisance Calls Action Plan which will raise awareness and empower people to protect themselves.

“Despite SNP success at Westminster on this issue, there is still much to be done – and the power to regulate lies with the UK Government. However, it is positive to see the Scottish Government taking action where it can, and we’ll continue to press the UK Government to take greater action to reduce nuisance calls in Mid Fife and Glenrothes”.