The Rural Youth Project Manifesto, which highlights the issues facing young people and how they can be better supported, has been presented to Rural Affairs and Islands Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon.
The Manifesto focuses on nine key areas: enterprise, connectivity, housing, transport, rural learning, employment, community and society, representation, and mental health.
The overarching aim of the asks within the Manifesto is to raise awareness of what young people need, and, above all, it aims to inspire and encourage decision-makers at all levels to meaningfully engage with young people.
Mairi Gougeon said: “We want young people to feel confident and capable to influence and lead change in their communities. They have a crucial role to play in ensuring that rural and island communities thrive in the future – and we want their voice to be heard and their ideas to be taken forward.
“But we also know that many young people are struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic – like everyone else, they are experiencing economic and social challenges. And Brexit threatens their long-term wellbeing, particularly to stay and make their lives in rural areas.
“The Rural Youth Project is a valued member of the Rural Youth Stakeholder Group recently established by Scottish Government. It is our hope that over time the group will become increasingly led by young people themselves and will help provide a direct link between their peers and those who make decisions that impact on their lives.
“They are key to helping us shape a better future for everyone in our rural and island communities.”
Rural Youth Project founders and directors, Jane Craigie and Rebecca Dawes, said: “Since 2018, we’ve been seeking out, and listening to, young people from across Scotland and abroad.
“What we’ve found is that young people want to live in rural areas – but the challenges they continue to face are fueling de-population. The manifesto is a call to action to keep the needs of rural young people in the mind of leaders at all levels when decisions are being made.
“The Rural Youth Project’s growing community of young people is keen to work with policy-makers, local authorities and community decision makers to have their say and help to make changes a living reality”.
The Manifesto draws on four years’ worth of qualitative and quantitative learnings collected by the Rural Youth Project. Key recommendations include:
Creating mobile mental health support services that can travel to more rural and remote communities.
Establishing a Rural Youth Task Force and give a ministerial responsibility for Rural Youth.
To introduce a specific rural housing grant for young first-time homeowners looking to build, buy or renovate in a rural area, similar to the Croft House Grant Scheme.
Influential electrical trade body SELECT has launched a new public safety campaign to help raise awareness of the new heat and smoke alarm regulations being introduced across Scotland next February.
Scotland’s largest construction trade association has produced an engaging and informative animation to clarify what householders and landlords need to do to comply with the standard, in line with Scottish Government guidance.
It has also created a dedicated page on its new website for the public and electrical contractors that delivers FAQs, downloadable resources and details of training and available certification.
The organisation is now encouraging its 1,250+ member businesses to use and share the range of resources to familiarise themselves with the new rules and help educate the public.
Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT,said: “Our main aim is to help the public understand what they need to do, clearly and concisely, and where to go for help if they need it. This includes stressing the importance of using a qualified electrician to carry out the work.
“We also want to develop SELECT Members’ understanding of what is required by giving them the tools they need to help their customers.”
As well as the animation, SELECT has produced three downloadable guides, social media templates, training opportunities and details of available certification. All are hosted on a dedicated section of the revamped SELECT website, which was launched on 27 September.
The animation was developed by Iain Mason, Director of Membership & Communication at SELECT, who said: “Serving the public interest is at the heart of every professional organisation’s mission and SELECT is proud to lead the way.
“We hope the impact of this animation and other material will be to help as many people as possible get ready and comply with the new regulations before the implementation date.”
The new standard, which is applicable from 1 February 2022, requires that all homes in Scotland must have a smoke alarm on every storey including hallways and landings, a smoke alarm in the most frequented part of the house, such as the lounge, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is a fuel burning appliance.
In addition, all the heat and smoke alarms must be interlinked, either mains-powered with battery back-up or be battery powered by a tamper-proof long-life battery to ensure there is an effective warning system to keep everyone and their property safe.
For mains-powered alarms or where householders cannot fit the battery-powered alarms themselves, they are being urged to use a qualified electrician.
The information campaign is the latest initiative from SELECT, which has a long track record of promoting safety messages around the industry and safeguarding the welfare of customers as well as the 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices who work in it.
SELECT has also been leading a long-running campaign with other leading industry bodies to ensure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner. It currently is engaged with the Scottish Government over the regulation of the industry.
A donkey called Josh, who was living in pain due to a large crack in his hoof, is now on the road to recovery, thanks to The Donkey Sanctuary.
The plight of the 18-year-old donkey was brought to the attention of the international animal welfare charity in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown in April 2020. His owner had taken on the task of trimming Josh’s hooves himself, rather than relying on the expertise of a professional farrier.
Donkey Welfare Adviser, Sally Bamforth examined the donkey at the address near Gretna and immediately discovered that his hooves were in a very poor state, and he needed urgent farrier care.
Sally Bamforth said: “Josh’s feet were overgrown and misshapen, which was causing him considerable discomfort. His front left hoof had a big crack down the front. If left untreated, the hoof could have been susceptible to infection.
“X-rays revealed changes to Josh’s hooves caused by a painful foot condition called laminitis, which would have caused him significant discomfort.”
Josh’s companion, an older mare named Lucky, was also found to be suffering with severely overgrown and misshapen hooves.
Working in collaboration with the RSPCA and a veterinary surgeon, the donkeys were examined, and pain relief administered.
Sadly, the damage to Lucky’s hooves was too extensive. The vet advised that her prognosis was poor and attempting treatment would not be in her best interests it was decided that the kindest decision would be to put her to sleep on site, to make sure she didn’t suffer further.
The donkeys’ conditions were discussed with the owner, who agreed that the best course of action was to euthanise Lucky and relinquish Josh into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary.
Josh was transported to a local holding base funded by The Donkey Sanctuary for further treatment, where thanks to the expert farrier attention he received, the condition of his hooves greatly improved.
Here, grooms kept a close eye on him and watched out for signs of hyperlipaemia, a potentially fatal disease, which can be caused by the stress of losing a companion.
Josh has now been brought into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon and is well on the road to recovery. He will continue to receive the highest level of care and is guaranteed a safe home for life.
Sally Bamforth added: “We often see damage to feet that could easily have been prevented. One of the benefits of using a qualified and suitably experienced farrier is that they would pick up on any conditions and treatment needed, as well as being a great source of advice.
“We have a team of Donkey Welfare Advisers across the country, who are on hand to provide guidance to donkey owners and to support donkeys in critical need of help.”
The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader for equine welfare, research and veterinary care. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation.
Overwhelming support has been shown across Edinburgh for a net zero, climate resilient capital, according to initial findings from the public consultation on the draft 2030 Climate Strategy.
More than 900 residents and stakeholders shared their views on the draft strategy over the 12-week summer consultation, through a series of online workshops and engagement sessions and the Council’s online survey.
And, as well as supporting the strategy’s aims and vision, citizens broadly welcomed the strategy’s 52 actions – on activities which ranged from engaging and empowering people to tackle climate change to investing in businesses and skills in the capital.
The early findings reveal that respondents not only support what the draft strategy aims to do, but how it proposes to take action and deliver on the city’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
They also show that overall, people felt the Council had received permission to act on climate change and needed to move discussions on climate from ‘whether the city should act’ to ‘how we act together.’
Creating a partnership of financial investment and delivery organisations to develop a business case for how all Edinburgh’s citizens will be able to affordably retrofit their homes in partnership with the Scottish Futures Trust.
Developing an Edinburgh Community Climate Forum to help empower citizens, encourage behaviour change and community activism on climate action. It will be sponsored by the Council and delivered independently by EVOC and Our Future Edinburgh.
Bringing forward business case proposals for community energy generation schemes across the city, with Energy for Edinburgh.
Working with Lothian Buses to decarbonise their bus fleet by 2023 and developing a plan for shared public service charging hubs.
Developing a costed climate change risk assessment for the city and a new city adaptation plan by 2022/23, alongside a regional approach.
Establishing a business led Economic Transition Forum and also a new Business for Good programme through Edinburgh CAN B to provide practical support and training for businesses across the city to transition to net zero.
Developing a citywide programme/pipeline of green investment proposals with a Climate Strategy Investment Programme Board.
Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Councillor Adam McVey said: “Public and stakeholder response to our draft Climate Strategy has been fantastic and has thoughtfully reflected the complex and systemic nature of climate change.
“Feedback from residents and groups has highlighted the need to give people more information and support on how to make changes to their everyday lives which will support Edinburgh’s climate target, which is why I’m delighted to announce the council will sponsor the establishment of a Community Climate Forum for the city.
“The Forum will help to provide a vital point of interaction and information for and with communities on all aspects of climate action. Meanwhile, city partner responses have been really detailed and positive, with all partners committing to working together in key areas of climate action.
“Many have also committed both resources and in-kind activity as part of the implementation plan and will ensure the Council and our partners will keep up momentum in delivering a net zero, climate ready city by 2030.”
Depute leader Councillor Cammy Day added: “The 2030 Climate Strategy is for the whole of Edinburgh and whilst the Council needs to take a leading role, the purpose of the strategy is to facilitate and unlock collaboration and collective action at speed and scale to deliver a net zero city.
“The pandemic had shown people how quickly and effectively the Council and partners can act on emergency issues. We must now listen to feedback from the consultation and go faster and further in our strategy actions to reflect the climate emergency and meet Edinburgh’s deadline of net zero emissions by 2030.”
The final draft of the 2030 Climate Strategy will be supported by an implementation plan detailing deliverables, milestones, timescales, resources, and approach to measuring outcomes and impact. This will be brought to Committee alongside the final draft of the strategy on 30 November 2021.
Pupils across Scotland will take steps to reduce local air pollution by walking to school during International Walk to School Month this October.
Currently around 45 per cent of pupils in Scotland walk to school.
Living Streets is encouraging pupils to #WalkForTheWorld this October.
Thousands of children across Scotland will take steps to reduce local air pollution by walking to school during International Walk to School Month this October.
Living Streets, the charity behind the walk to school campaign in the UK, is encouraging families to leave the car at home for the school run and instead join pupils globally who are celebrating the benefits of walking and wheeling to school during October.
The latest data for Scotland shows that around 45 per cent of pupils in Scotland currently walk to school.
Stephen Edwards, Interim Chief Executive, Living Streets said:“Swapping our short car journeys for walking or wheeling is an easy way to reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and congestion, and the journey to school is a great place to start.
“One in four cars on the road at morning peak hours are on the school run, despite the vast majority of families living less than two miles from their nearest school. Choosing cleaner ways to travel will help improve the air we breathe and help children to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day needed to stay fit, healthy and happy.
“International Walk to School Month is an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy the benefits of walking to school.”
Living Streets is running a social media challenge for schools and families throughout October. Pupils are asked to choose an animal or natural habitat endangered by climate change and walk, wheel, scoot, cycle or Park & Stride to school to protect it.
Families and schools can then share their #WalkForTheWorld images on social media to be entered into a prize draw with prizes available for schools and families.
To find out more about International Walk to School Month and to enter the prize draw, visit livingstreets.org.uk/IWTSM
Road policing officers are appealing for information after a man was hit by a car which failed to stop on the Edinburgh City Bypass. The incident happened on the A720 westbound near the Lothianburn Junction shortly after 1.15am this morning (Sunday 3 October).
The 31-year-old man had stopped his Volkswagen car on the on-slip road to repair a puncture when he was struck by a vehicle. This vehicle failed to stop and continued on the City Bypass in the direction of the Dreghorn Junction.
The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.The road reopened shortly before 4am following an investigation.
Sergeant Jennifer Forbes of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Following our investigation at the scene, we believe the vehicle involved is in this incident was a white Audi Q3 or Q4 car and it will have obvious collision damage to the front bodywork.
“I would urge anyone who believes they may have seen a vehicle matching this description or something similar to get in touch.
“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who was on the City Bypass early on Sunday morning and may have dashcam footage to come forward.“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 0282 of 3 October.”
Op Tutelage – a national policing initiative where drivers who appear to have no motor insurance are sent advisory letters – has encouraged over 150,000 motorists across the UK to drive insured since being introduced in January 2020.
In Scotland nearly 6,600 advisory letters have been issued. Police Scotland comments.
The initiative uses a nudge approach to positively influence decision making. Around 3 in 4 recipients have been successfully encouraged to make sure their vehicle becomes insured.
Op Tutelage helps roads policing focus resources on the remaining dangerous drivers who intentionally drive without insurance – making roads safer and fairer for all.
Op Tutelage – a national policing initiative where police forces issue advisory letters to drivers that appear to have no motor insurance – has encouraged over 150,000 motorists across the UK to drive insured.
The initiative which is led by the NPCC’s National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) and supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), was introduced in January 2020 to help reduce uninsured driving levels across the UK.
By using MIB’s Motor Insurance Database (MID) – a central record of all active motor insurance policies in the UK – police forces can quickly identify any vehicle that appears not to have insurance and send the registered keeper an advisory letter.
Results have been highly successful with 151,464 drivers correcting their insurance status to date following over 215,000 advisory letters issued thus far, which equates to around 3 in 4 people.
In Scotland alone 6,594 advisory letters have been issued so far.
Op Tutelage’s advisory letters were developed alongside Dr Helen Wells, a criminologist and roads policing expert from Keele University and Director of the Roads Policing Academic Network. By drawing on research into the use of nudges, behaviour change approaches and the concept of procedural justice, the letters encourage motorists to take corrective action and drive insured.
There are a range of reasons why someone’s vehicle might show as uninsured on the MID. Causes stem from the unintentional such as drivers not realising their policy has expired or admin errors, all the way through to those willing to break the law by intentionally driving without insurance.
By sending out advisory letters, police forces want to give a chance to those who may have not realised their vehicle was uninsured to correct this before heading out on the road. Roads policing officers are then more likely to stop motorists who intentionally drive without insurance, who are linked to a higher rate of collisions and additional road traffic offences.
With all the UK’s 45 police forces having now signed up to Op Tutelage, the results have continued to grow per month. August alone saw more than 10,000 drivers nationally go from uninsured to insured.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Op Tutelage is an effective way of reducing the number of uninsured vehicles on our roads. There are a number of reasons why a vehicle may show on the Motor Insurance Database as holding no insurance and Op Tutelage provides an opportunity for registered keepers to take action as necessary.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping the roads safe and this operation allows our officers to take action against those who deliberately break the law and put other road users in danger.”
Ben Fletcher, Chief Customer Officer at MIB, said: “Op Tutelage is delivering outstanding results. By utilising MID data and behavioural change approaches, we can encourage most drivers who are not correctly insured to positively act.
“This means roads policing can focus more of their resources on the minority of motorists who deliberately break the law and put road users at greater risk.
“With traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels the last thing anyone needs is to be impacted by uninsured motorists. I’m very pleased to say that Op Tutelage is helping to make roads safer and fairer for everyone. I look forward to seeing the great results of MIB’s partnership with NRPOII as we continue to drive down uninsured driving levels.”
Dr Helen Wells, Criminologist at Keele University and Director of the Roads Policing Academic Network, said: “Some people who drive without insurance do so by mistake, but others do it on purpose, and Op Tutelage helps the police focus their resources on those drivers that really need taking off the road.
Feedback shows that the public think this is a fair and legitimate way to police the roads and that the police value the extra intelligence it gives them.”
Alongside Op Tutelage, MIB works with police on a range of initiatives to tackle uninsured driving.
Roads police can access the MID to check if a vehicle appears to be uninsured. If disputed by the driver, the officer can contact MIB’s Police Helpline whose Agents liaise with insurers in real-time to confirm if valid insurance exists.
Driving without insurance can result in a £300 fixed penalty notice, six licence points and the driver’s vehicle can be seized and crushed. In addition, uninsured drivers can face court where they could receive an unlimited fine and a driving ban.
Over 148,000 vehicles were seized for no insurance across the UK in 2020, at a rate of one every four minutes.
MIB is encouraging motorists to check that their vehicle is showing as insured on the MID which can be done for free at www.askMID.co.uk
Joseph Rowntree Foundation issues a stark warning ahead of the cut to Universal Credit scheduled for 6 October – the same day as the Prime Minister’s speech at Conservative Party Conference.
New analysis looks at the impact of the Universal Credit cut by local authority.
On Wednesday, as the Prime Minister delivers his speech to the Conservative Party Conference, his government will be imposing the biggest ever overnight cut to social security. This will reduce the incomes of around 5.5 million families by £1,040 per year.
In the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area – the host city of this year’s Conservative Party Conference – around 312,000 working-age families (26%) are facing this historic cut to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.
If the Government presses ahead with the cut, it would:
Pull half a million people into poverty, including 200,000 children.
Fundamentally undermine the adequacy of our social security system at precisely the moment when families are facing considerable increases in the cost of their energy bills, prices on the shelves are going up and National Insurance is set to rise in April 2022.
Reduce the main rate of out-of-work support down to its lowest level in real terms since around 1990 and its lowest ever level as a proportion of average earnings.
The Government themselves have admitted this week that families may struggle to meet basic costs, like food and heating, by increasing the funding available for local authorities to give grants to families in emergency situations.
The support available through their newly announced Household Support Fund is temporary and discretionary and is typically reserved for one-off emergency situations such as a broken fridge. This scheme does not come close to meeting the scale of the challenge facing families.
Who will be impacted by the cut?
New analysis finds that in 35 local authorities across Great Britain 50% or more of working-age families with children will be impacted by the planned cut.
JRF has consistently warned that:
Working families make up around 60% of families who will be affected by the cut to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Families with children (particularly single-parent families), those containing someone who is disabled, and Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (‘BAME’) families, will be disproportionately impacted by the reduction in Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit.
The cut will have the most severe impact in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East, North West and West Midlands, although no region will be left unscathed by this decision.
Katie Schmuecker, Deputy Director of Policy & Partnerships at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said:“The Prime Minister is abandoning millions to hunger and hardship with his eyes wide open. The biggest ever overnight cut to social security flies in the face of the Government’s mission to unite and level up our country.
“When the increase to Universal Credit was introduced, the Chancellor said it was to “strengthen the safety net” – a tacit admission a decade of cuts and freezes had left our social security lifeline to wear thin and threadbare for families in and out of work relying on it. This planned cut would reverse the progress made and leave it wholly inadequate.
“People’s bills won’t get £87-a-month cheaper from Wednesday and families are already anxious about how they will get through a looming cost of living crisis. This decision is set to plunge half a million people into poverty and shows a total disregard for the consequences. The Prime Minister cannot say he has not been warned, he must abandon this cut.”
Table 1: Top 10 Labour and Conservative majority local authorities with the highest percentage of working-age families with children impacted by the cut
Top 10 Labour majority local authorities affected
Top 10 Conservative majority local authorities affected
Local Authority
% of all working-age families with children impacted by the cut
Local Authority
% of all working-age families with children impacted by the cut
Newham
64
Pendle
58
Leicester
62
Walsall
53
Manchester
61
Great Yarmouth
52
Bradford
61
North East Lincolnshire
50
Oldham
60
Southampton
49
Birmingham
60
East Lindsey
48
Blackburn with Darwen
58
Dover
45
Kingston upon Hull – City of
58
North Lincolnshire
44
Sandwell
58
South Holland
44
Tower Hamlets
58
Nuneaton and Bedworth
44
Of local authorities with no majority party, with the highest percentages of working-age families with children impacted by the planned cut, Middlesbrough (60%) and Burnley (58%) are both coalition-led councils. Blackpool (57%) is Labour minority and Thanet (55%), Peterborough (55%) and Stoke-on-Trent (55%) are all Conservative minority.
Table 2: Families impacted by £20-per-week reduction to UC/WTC in October 2021
Family type
Families on UC or WTC losing £20 per week in October 2021
Number of families (millions)
Proportion of families who lose
% of all working-age families of that type who lose
All working-age families
5.5
100%
20%
Families with someone in work
3.5
64%
16%
Families without someone in work
2.0
36%
33%
Single without children
2.3
42%
18%
Couples without children
0.6
10%
8%
Single-parent families
1.1
20%
61%
Couple-parent families
1.5
28%
25%
Families where someone is disabled
2.8
50%
35%
Families where no one is disabled
2.7
50%
14%
BAME families
1.1
20%
25%
Non-BAME families
4.4
80%
19%
Source: Microsimulation by JRF using the IPPR Tax and Benefits Microsimulation Model and the OBR’s March 2021 forecasts. Breakdowns may not sum to totals due to rounding.
Making this decision with his eyes wide open:
The cut is opposed by six former Conservative Work & Pensions Secretaries, the Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs, the One Nation Group of Conservative MPs, all the devolved administrations, numerous cross-party committees in all nations of the UK. Iain Duncan Smith recently said, “the extra £20 has returned to UC some of the investment that was cut from my original design.”
100 organisations are urging the Prime Minister not to cut Universal Credit. Among the signatories of the joint open letter to the Prime Minister are leading voices on health, education, children, housing, poverty, the economy and other aspects of public policy. (published 2 September)
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has joined with the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to demand Prime Minister Boris Johnson “do the right thing” by reversing the decision to withdraw the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit.
In a rare joint intervention, the leaders of the devolved nations have warned in a letter that the UK Government “is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis.”
They have urged the Prime Minister to “consider the moral, social and economic harms” of the of this cut, and “do the right thing” and reverse his government’s decision to withdraw this funding which will harm around 6 million people across the UK.
The First Minister, along with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Northern Ireland First Minister and deputy First Minister Paul Givan and Michelle O’Neill say the move, which comes into effect this Wednesday, 6 October, is short sighted at a time of increases in the cost of food and fuel, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and imminent rise in National Insurance contributions.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I do not think there has been anything quite so morally indefensible in UK policy in recent times as the proposed cut to Universal Credit.
“At a time when we are facing the impact of the pandemic, Brexit and soaring costs, removing £20 per week from the lowest-income households simply cannot be defended in any way, shape or form.
“The planned cut represents the biggest overnight reduction to the basic rate of social security in more than 70 years and would sever a crucial lifeline for countless households across the UK at a time when budgets are already facing an unprecedented squeeze.
“It is an immoral, ill-thought out and ultimately counterproductive policy which simply must be stopped.
“Those on low incomes are going to find it difficult to feed their children, heat their homes, and pay their rent if the cut goes ahead. We have therefore united as the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to say to the Prime Minister: ‘Do not do this.’”
The full text of the letter is included below:
Dear Prime Minister
We are writing to call on you, with the utmost urgency, to reverse your Government’s short-sighted decision to withdraw the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit.
Your Government is withdrawing this lifeline just as the country is facing a significant cost-of-living crisis. This winter millions of people are facing an untenable combination of increases to the cost of food and energy, rising inflation, the end of the furlough scheme, and an imminent hike to National Insurance contributions.
There is no rationale for cutting such crucial support at a point when people across the UK are facing an unprecedented squeeze on their household budgets.
Within the last month, an overwhelming majority of elected members in Holyrood, the Senedd, Stormont and Westminster have voiced their opposition to this cut to Universal Credit, as have the four social security committees of each parliament. The four Children’s Commissioners of each nation, numerous charities and faith groups have also expressed their grave concerns as have millions of people who face additional and unnecessary hardship because of this cut to Universal Credit against the backdrop of a winter of hardship.
We note your Government’s announcement of a Household Support Fund – an acknowledgment that too many people will be unable to make ends meet this winter. Unfortunately, a £500 million fund handed out on a discretionary basis is wholly inadequate to making up the £6 billion shortfall in social security expenditure that will result from the cut to Universal Credit.
Your Government has repeatedly refused to conduct any impact analysis on the biggest overnight reduction to the basic rate of social security for more than 70 years.
As such, it is important that we draw your attention to the growing body of evidence and analysis about the harm this cut will inflict. Research by the Resolution Foundation and the Trussell Trust has highlighted the significant and devastating impact the cliff-edge withdrawal of the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit will have on family incomes, with an associated rise in food insecurity.
The Legatum Institute has produced sobering analysis highlighting that the £20-per-week uplift has kept 840,000 people, including 290,000 children, out of poverty in Q2 of 2021. It makes no sense at all to knowingly pursue a policy that will result in this immense and needless rise in child poverty and we ask you to consider the lasting harm and costs of this cut accordingly.
It is important to note that this will increase poverty and hardship without delivering any tangible social or economic benefits. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights said – when calling upon you to reverse this cut – that for a healthy and well-qualified workforce to emerge, your Government must provide adequate levels of social protection. Years of a freeze on benefits means Universal Credit has not kept pace with rising living costs. Further to this, rising inflation means that a basic rate of Universal Credit after this cut will hold less purchasing power than it did in March 2020.
To support a meaningful recovery from this pandemic we must first ensure the needs of our most vulnerable are met. This cut threatens to undermine the recovery by diminishing the capacity of six million people to make ends meet.
It is not too late for you to reverse the decision to take money out of the pockets of the poorest in society at a time when they are facing a serious cost of living crisis.
We, with the full support of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish and Welsh Governments, urge you to consider the moral, social and economic harms of this cut, and do the right thing and reverse your decision to withdraw this lifeline.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and relevant Secretary of States for the devolved nations.
