A charge on Scotland’s plastic bags has paid off for a Moray youth group, which this week received a funding boost of £2,000 generated by the scheme.
Elgin Youth Cafe was pledged the sum by supermarket giant Asda to help cover the costs of a project aimed at increasing members’ job eligibility.
The Confidence in Life scheme aims to train people aged 16-25 in the skills necessary for the workplace while boosting their self-esteem.
The cafe is run by the Elgin Youth Development Group and targets young people who are not in employment, education or training.
The funds were generated by the 5p charge now in place for plastic carrier bags at stores across Scotland.
The nationwide move was introduced by Moray MSP Richard Lochhead in his governmental capacity as cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and the environment.
He met youngsters at the cafe this week to help celebrate the funding windfall.
He said: “It was great to join Elgin Youth Café members as they received the funds boost.
“The Confidence in Life project is a fantastic scheme for young people to build on their employability, skills and self-confidence.”
He added: “The charge for plastic bags was introduced by the Scottish Government last year and it is really great to see it benefiting local groups here in Moray, as well as achieving its original goal of cutting plastic bag use.”
Mr Lochhead said that since the levy on plastic bags was introduced, Scotland’s supermarkets had reported a reduction of more than 80% in the number of plastic bags being handed out.
Earlier this year budding chefs at the youth cafe were given a seafood masterclass by Mike Crook, of Good Highland Food.
In July the group received a donation of almost £30,000 to launch a project aimed at bringing the area’s youngest and oldest residents together.