Continue reading Brock calls for rethink on ‘heartless’ disability cuts
UK Government ‘completely disregarding discussions.’
Communities, Social Security and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance has written to her Westmonister counterpart to seek ‘urgent reassurance’ that the UK Government will not impose changes to housing benefit for 18-21 year olds in Scotland while discussions continue between governments.
The Department of Work and Pensions is pressing ahead with plans to remove entitlement for this vital benefit for young people, something the Scottish Government has constantly opposed.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Damian Green, Ms Constance expressed her anger at the UK Government’s short timescale for change despite assurances that options for Scotland would be considered further. The current timetable makes it impossible for alternative arrangements to be put in place.
The issue was specifically raised at the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare on Monday 20th February but UK Government Ministers were unable to provide an answer on when the regulations will be laid, only to confirm just two days later they would be laid on 2 March.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Damian
You may already be aware that, further to the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare (JMWGW) on Monday, I have written to David Mundell noting my disappointment that we left the meeting with several issues still unresolved.
I have repeatedly set out, both in writing and in meetings, the Scottish Government’s opposition to changes to Housing Benefit (HB) for 18-21 year olds and the interaction of the benefit cap with our plans to abolish the bedroom tax. I was reassured somewhat, most recently, following meetings with Damian Hinds on 19 January and David Mundell on 23 January, of the UK Government’s intention to work constructively with the Scottish Government to achieve a satisfactory solution to these issues. It was frustrating therefore, following the JMWGW, to be asked to set out in writing once again the key points of difference and my suggested solutions for the DWP to consider and respond to. I have, nevertheless, done so in my letter to David Mundell of 22 February.
It now appears that the DWP is completely disregarding the discussions at the JMWGW and any commitment to work collaboratively regarding HB for 18-21s. I was quite frankly amazed to learn yesterday from my officials that the UK Government is planning to lay regulations on 2 March with a view to them coming into effect on 1 April 2017. DWP is effectively pressing ahead with the changes just days since UK Ministers were unable to offer any answers to the points I raised on HB for 18-21s and, when asked specifically at the JMWGW when regulations and changes would be introduced, were told ‘we don’t know’. Worse still, UK Ministers and officials gave the distinct impression that there was still time for other legislative options to be considered. I feel that it makes a mockery of having a meeting to discuss a way forward on 22 February when you plan to lay the regulations merely 6 working days later.
This is completely unacceptable. I should not have to stress that the devolution of social security powers – and indeed devolution arrangements more widely – requires both governments to work jointly, give advanced notice of plans and openly share information that has a bearing on each other’s decision making processes.
The Scottish Government’s position on HB 18-21s has been very clear and raised at a number of meetings with both governments making clear they did not wish to thwart the policies of each other. Less than a week ahead of the regulations being laid, we have only just received the draft regulations confirming the groups that will be exempt and now we find ourselves with just six weeks before the changes come into effect. This is not sufficient and I would appreciate your reassurance, as a matter of urgency, that the changes to HB for 18-21 years old will not be introduced until we have agreed a solution for Scotland.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Angela Constance.
New budgeting support for Universal Credit claimants
Money Advice Service’s Online Money Manager is an interactive tool that offers personalised advice on making the most of your money while you’re on Universal Credit. It offers help and advice on a range of money topics including opening a bank account, keeping on top of bills and dealing with debt.
The benefit cap will push struggling families into deeper poverty, says City of Edinburgh Councillor LEWIS RITCHIE: Continue reading ‘Just about managing’ no longer
WE ARE ALL DANIEL BLAKE presents
FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING of I, DANIEL BLAKE
The award-winning film by KEN LOACH written by PAUL LAVERTY
at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS CENTRE (beside Muirhouse Library)
WEDNESDAY 8th FEBRUARY at 6.30pm
The film will be followed by a Q & A with a panel including Ben Macpherson MSP
Tickets from North Edinburgh Arts telephone 315 2151 or reserve by calling Willie Black on 0751 568 6421
Please find poster and details of the “I, Daniel Blake” film being screened in Broughton High School at 7pm on Thursday 9th February.
The film’s trailer can be found via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahWgxw9E_h4 Continue reading I, Daniel Blake screening at Broughton High School
Universal Credit payments in Scotland are to become more frequent and adaptable, as new social security powers are set to be used by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government’s different approach has been welcomed by housingorganisations and anti-poverty campaigners as well as the Scottish Greens. Continue reading Scotland’s different tack on Unversal Credit welcomed
Welfare changes ‘damaging’ to low income families
Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman has expressed strong opposition to the UK Government on its proposal to limit the number of children in families who can qualify for Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit. Continue reading Freeman urges Westminster rethink on latest welfare proposals
The End Child Poverty coalition has published a new child poverty map covering Scotland and the rest of the UK. The latest figures reveal that poverty affects children in every part of Scotland, with as many as 34% of children living in poverty in some local authority areas – compared to just one in ten in others.
Across the UK more than three and a half million children are living in poverty, with 220,000 of them living here in Scotland.
Local child poverty estimates are broken down by local authority, parliamentary constituency and ward and show huge variation across the country.
Members of End Child Poverty in Scotland, including Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, Barnardos Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) Children1st and the Poverty Alliance are calling for urgent action to be taken at UK, Scottish and local government level.
The coalition is calling on the Chancellor to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to end the freeze on children’s benefits, and reverse the sharp cuts being introduced to in-work benefits under Universal Credit. They warn that the current benefits freeze means that as prices rise, low income families find it increasingly hard to pay for basic essentials at the same time as cuts to Universal Credit are pushing more working families below the poverty line.
In Scotland the campaigners are calling on Holyrood and local government to make sure the proposed Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill addresses poverty at local level.They believe that the Bill, which will enshrine the Scottish Government’s ambition to eradicate child poverty by 2030, should explicitly set out and support the role of local government and its community planning partners in tackling child poverty.
John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said: “There’s no doubt that many of the key drivers of child poverty are UK wide and if the new Prime Minister is serious about supporting families then decisive action must be taken to end the freeze on children’s benefits and reverse sharp cuts to in-work support under Universal Credit.
“But this new map also makes it clear that child poverty plays out in different ways at local level. Local authorities and their partners know their communities and are in a great position to work with local people to prevent poverty. Many are already doing important work to make sure local childcare, housing and employability policies are working for low income families.
The new Scottish child poverty legislation must now be drafted so as to ensure all local authorities are supported in law to take a strategic approach, and that all levels of government are pulling in the same direction – towards a Scotland free from child poverty.”
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The latest map of child poverty across Scotland reflects the experience of our services working with families on low income day in, day out.
“There is much good work taking place to support these children and families but given their financial situation changes in benefits that reduce income have a damaging effect on parents and children. To address these challenges Barnardo’s Scotland works in partnership with local authorities and public bodies in many areas. We recognise the key role they have in the ambition to eradicate poverty and believe that a strategic approach to tackling poverty at the local level should be a key part of the new Child Poverty Bill as well as support to implement this duty”.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Poverty in Scotland continues to harm the lives of children across Scotland, as this new map shows. Living on a low income not only affects their well-being now, but can have a negative impact in the future. This is an unnecessary situation and one that requires urgent attention.
“The forthcoming Scottish Child Poverty Bill and the Social-Economic Duty should begin to focus more action on the way that we support people at the local level. However, these figures also serve to highlight the damaging impact that cuts to social security benefits by the UK Government have had on many Scottish families. If Theresa May wants to signal a new direction for her Government, then these cuts should be reversed.”
Alison Todd, Chief Executive of Children 1st, Scotland’s National Children’s Charity said: ““Many of the children and families we support are becoming increasingly caught in a complex poverty trap which includes housing costs, trying to meet the costs of enabling their children to take part in school activities and being isolated from opportunities. By working in genuine partnership with families experiencing poverty, local authorities can make a real difference in these and many other areas to help lift children out of poverty.”
Scotland
Percentage of children in poverty (after housing costs)
By Local Authority
| Aberdeen City | 18.2% |
| Aberdeenshire | 13.1% |
| Angus | 20.6% |
| Argyll and Bute | 20.4% |
| Clackmannanshire | 27.3% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 24.3% |
| Dundee City | 27.7% |
| East Ayrshire | 28.0% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 14.2% |
| East Lothian | 20.3% |
| East Renfrewshire | 14.5% |
| Edinburgh, City of | 22.0% |
| Eileanan an Iar | 17.6% |
| Falkirk | 22.0% |
| Fife | 25.0% |
| Glasgow City | 34.1% |
| Highland | 19.2% |
| Inverclyde | 27.9% |
| Midlothian | 22.5% |
| Moray | 17.2% |
| North Ayrshire | 30.4% |
| North Lanarkshire | 25.0% |
| Orkney Islands | 14.1% |
| Perth and Kinross | 18.2% |
| Renfrewshire | 23.6% |
| Scottish Borders | 21.0% |
| Shetland Islands | 10.6% |
| South Ayrshire | 25.7% |
| South Lanarkshire | 22.0% |
| Stirling | 18.8% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 26.5% |
| West Lothian | 22.8% |
By Parliamentary Constituency
| Aberdeen North | 23.0% |
| Aberdeen South | 15.7% |
| Airdrie and Shotts | 28.2% |
| Angus | 23.3% |
| Argyll and Bute | 20.4% |
| Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | 30.0% |
| Banff and Buchan | 18.9% |
| Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk | 22.7% |
| Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross | 23.0% |
| Central Ayrshire | 27.0% |
| Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | 22.6% |
| Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East | 22.2% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 24.8% |
| Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale | 20.0% |
| Dundee East | 22.7% |
| Dundee West | 27.9% |
| Dunfermline and West Fife | 21.0% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 12.2% |
| East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow | 19.6% |
| East Lothian | 20.3% |
| East Renfrewshire | 14.5% |
| Edinburgh East | 27.3% |
| Edinburgh North and Leith | 23.7% |
| Edinburgh South | 18.5% |
| Edinburgh South West | 23.4% |
| Edinburgh West | 17.5% |
| Na h-Eileanan an Iar | 17.6% |
| Falkirk | 21.1% |
| Glasgow Central | 39.2% |
| Glasgow East | 33.7% |
| Glasgow North | 31.0% |
| Glasgow North East | 37.6% |
| Glasgow North West | 33.2% |
| Glasgow South | 29.3% |
| Glasgow South West | 33.4% |
| Glenrothes | 30.6% |
| Gordon | 9.2% |
| Inverclyde | 27.9% |
| Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey | 17.7% |
| Kilmarnock and Loudoun | 26.7% |
| Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath | 27.7% |
| Lanark and Hamilton East | 23.7% |
| Linlithgow and East Falkirk | 23.1% |
| Livingston | 23.0% |
| Midlothian | 22.5% |
| Moray | 17.2% |
| Motherwell and Wishaw | 26.1% |
| North Ayrshire and Arran | 29.3% |
| North East Fife | 18.4% |
| Ochil and South Perthshire | 21.7% |
| Orkney and Shetland | 12.2% |
| Paisley and Renfrewshire North | 22.0% |
| Paisley and Renfrewshire South | 25.2% |
| Perth and North Perthshire | 19.7% |
| Ross, Skye and Lochaber | 18.0% |
| Rutherglen and Hamilton West | 23.0% |
| Stirling | 18.8% |
| West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine | 9.9% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 26.5% |
Continue reading New Child Poverty Map reveals urgent need for action
Thousands of Scots share their views on the social security system
The three-month consultation on building a Scottish social security system has ended – for now. Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the government will publish a report in the New Year and insists the dialogue will continue. Continue reading Scottish Social Security consultation arouses strong feelings
