Tax Credits centred on English term times leaves Scots families struggling

The SNP’s Gordon Macdonald has written to the UK government calling for reassessments of Child Tax Credits in Scotland to correspond with Scottish school term times, following reports of delayed payments. Continue reading Tax Credits centred on English term times leaves Scots families struggling

Universal Credit flaws leaving families in debt, says Child Poverty Action Group

“claimants are often left flummoxed by how much – or how little – universal credit they will receive from one month to the next” – Alison Garnham, CPAG chief executive

Working people claiming universal credit are having their benefits capped when they shouldn’t be, and losing the effects of ‘work allowances’ worth up to £258 per month simply because of the dates on which their paydays and universal credit ‘assessment periods’ happen to fall, according to new evidence from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). Continue reading Universal Credit flaws leaving families in debt, says Child Poverty Action Group

A Step Too Far: Scottish Government must heed report on disability benefits, say Greens

Scottish Greens Social Security spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP has called on the Scottish Government to pay urgent attention to a new report from the MS Society which highlights the negative impact of disability welfare reforms on people with Multiple Sclerosis. Continue reading A Step Too Far: Scottish Government must heed report on disability benefits, say Greens

Holyrood Committee to investigate Social Security and in-work poverty

The social security benefits available to people who are in-work but struggling on low incomes is to be the focus of an inquiry by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee. MSPs want to understand if our social security systems are doing enough to help people get out of poverty. Continue reading Holyrood Committee to investigate Social Security and in-work poverty

Jeane Freeman makes pledge on benefits cap at Muirhouse meeting

Jeane Freeman, Scottish Government minister for Social Security, has responded to campaigners’ demands by pledging to consider fully mitigating the Benefit Cap cuts to Housing Benefit.  In response to the evictions caused by the Benefit Cap cuts campaigners have occupied council buildings and Ruth Davidson’s office. Continue reading Jeane Freeman makes pledge on benefits cap at Muirhouse meeting

LIFTing the lid on Scotland’s new social security system

LIFT (Low Income Families Together) organised an event to give local people an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing changes to the welfare and benefits system yesterday. Around sixty people attended the Scotland’s New Social Security System: What Does It Mean for You? conference in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre yesterday. Continue reading LIFTing the lid on Scotland’s new social security system

Jeane Freeman to speak at LIFT event

Scotland’s new social security sytem: what does it mean to you?

Scotland’s Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman MSP and Judith Robertson, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, are to address an event in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre on 15th May. Continue reading Jeane Freeman to speak at LIFT event

Advice session at Royston Wardieburn this Friday

Granton Information Centre (GIC) are to provide free monthly advice sessions at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. GIC staff will be at the community centre on the first Friday of every month starting this Friday (4th May) from 10am – 12.30pm. Continue reading Advice session at Royston Wardieburn this Friday

McVey urges city councillors to attend two-child limit demo

“This treatment is cruel and it is inexcusable” – City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey

SNP Council leader, Adam McVey, has called on all City of Edinburgh councillors to attend a demonstration, on Thursday and show their opposition to the UK Government’s Two Child Cap and associated “Rape Clause”. Continue reading McVey urges city councillors to attend two-child limit demo