Tag: Holyrood

Holyrood Committee to investigate why millions of pounds of benefits remain unclaimed

An inquiry has been launched by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee as estimates suggest a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed by those eligible for them. The inquiry aims to explore the extent of the issue and what can be done to tackle it.

Statistics from HMRC and DWP estimated that in 2016/17 only 31% of families without children eligible for Working Tax Credit claimed, while only 60% of those eligible for Pension Credit claimed.

However, the full extent of benefit non-take-up in the UK is unknown because of difficulties in estimating eligibility.

The Committee is now looking for information on issues related to benefit uptake including why estimates of take-up are available for some benefits but not for others, and the impact of awareness raising campaigns in improving benefit uptake.

The Committee is also investigating how technology could help automate some benefits to improve take-up and how take-up rates for the new Scottish social security benefits will be impacted by their link to the take-up rates for UK benefits.

 Bob Doris MSP, Convener of the Social Security Committee, (above) , said: “There can be any number of reasons for low benefit uptake rates, but it is absolutely essential that we learn the scale of this challenge and take every possible action to improve uptake.

“There is no doubt the stigma of claiming benefits hinders uptake while too often people are simply not aware of the benefits they are entitled to. Administration processes are also often too complex, and our inquiry is determined to identify any barriers to benefit uptake and how we can remove these.

“The Committee will consider the Scottish Government strategy on benefit uptake which will be published in October, but what is clear is that everything possible must be done to ensure those in need receive the full benefits they are entitled to.”

Other issues the Committee is keen to explore include if different approaches are required for different benefits, and the impact of various eligibility criteria upon take-up rates.

The call for views is open until Monday 21 October.

You can let the Committee know your views here: 

http://www.parliament.scot/benefit-take-up

Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics programme unveiled

The Scottish Parliament will welcome a range of leading public figures such as Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, journalist and broadcaster Andrew Marr, and TV’s Dr Rangan Chaterjee, as part of this year’s Festival of Politics. Continue reading Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics programme unveiled

A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante

  • Tory MPs threatened with deselection if they oppose the government
  • October general election looking increasingly likely

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a showdown in Westminster today after officials warned he would call for a snap general election on 14 October if MPs succeed in seizing control of Commons business. Continue reading A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante

A ‘dark day for democracy’

PM Boris Johnson’s controversial decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament yesterday has prompted a furious backlash from politicians and opponents of a no-deal Brexit, who believe the move is both unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The government was given the Queen’s assent to suspend Parliament when MPs return to work next week, effectively meaning that they are unlikely to have time to stop the Prime Minister taking the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October.

Leader of the Opposition, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, responded: “I am appalled at the recklessness of Johnson’s government, which talks about sovereignty and yet is seeking to suspend parliament to avoid scrutiny of its plans for a reckless No Deal Brexit. This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy.

“That is why Labour has been working across Parliament to hold this reckless government to account, and prevent a disastrous No Deal which parliament has already ruled out.

“If Johnson has confidence in his plans he should put them to the people in a general election or public vote.”

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow described PM Johnson’s move as a ‘constitutional outrage’, saying: “However it is dressed up, it is blindingly obvious that the purpose of prorogation now would be to stop parliament debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course for the country.

“At this time, one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history, it is vital that our elected parliament has its say. After all, we live in a parliamentary democracy.

“Shutting down parliament would be an offence against the democratic process and the rights of parliamentarians as the people’s elected representatives.

“Surely at this early stage in his premiership, the prime minister should be seeking to establish rather than undermine his democratic credentials and indeed his commitment to parliamentary democracy.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday was a dark day for democracy in the UK. She said: “Boris Johnson’s bid to shut down Parliament to force through a No-Deal Brexit is an outrageous assault on basic democratic principles.

“In doing so, he is acting no better than a tin-pot dictator – not the Prime Minister of what is still supposedly a parliamentary democracy. It is an outrageous bid to ram through an outcome that would do massive damage to jobs, investment and living standards across the whole of the UK.

“And, make no mistake, it is an attempt to force an outcome that no-one voted for. A No-Deal Brexit was not on the ballot paper in 2016.”

The leader of Britain and Ireland’s largest union, Unite accused prime minister Boris Johnson of a no deal Brexit coup. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “Boris Johnson’s plan to shut parliament is nothing short of a no deal Brexit coup which imperils the livelihoods of millions of workers and the future prosperity of communities across our nations.

“With the future of places such as Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant hanging by a thread, wrapping the suspension of parliament up with empty promises on education, police and the NHS is an insult to voters desperate for decent public services and a reversal of austerity.

“Johnson knows full well that a no deal Brexit will devastate our public finances and whole swathes of the economy. Have no doubt it will be Johnson and his friends in the wealthy elite who will be sitting pretty in the event of a catastrophic no deal Brexit, while working class communities pay the price.

“Whichever way people voted in the Brexit referendum, they did not vote for our democracy to be shut down and to lose their jobs. The prime minister should call a general election rather than silencing parliament to push through a disastrous no deal Brexit. I urge all sensible politicians from all parties to stand up and come together behind Jeremy Corbyn to block this no deal Brexit coup.”

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This outrageous manoeuvre has been made to silence all opposition in the most dictatorial way. Our parliamentary democracy is the envy of the world, but it’s being stamped upon and disregarded by a Prime Minister who’s not gone near a public vote.”

“Boris Johnson is treating the future of the UK like the plot of a far-fetched political TV drama. The country must be asked for its view on Brexit right now. That’s the only way.”“He is setting a timebomb for the NHS. The promises of more cash for the health service made during the referendum were just empty words. No deal will instead leave the NHS gasping for breath, creating chaos for the hard-working staff and spelling potential disaster for patients.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is inflicting unnecessary economic damage on an already vulnerable UK economy, the CEO of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisation warned yesterday.

Nigel Green, chief executive and founder of deVere Group, commented: “It could be argued that Boris Johnson’s decision to ask the Queen to suspend parliament, and therefore to prevent democratically elected representatives of the people doing their job, is deeply unconstitutional and has the hallmarks of a tin-pot dictator.

“However, it could also be argued that it is Mr Johnson fulfilling, one way or another, the will of the British people who voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.

“It is likely to be a tactic to spook negotiators into making concessions to the Withdrawal Agreement.  Whether it will work remains to be seen.  It will almost certainly be challenged in the courts.”

He added: “What we do know for sure though is that this step will inflict further unnecessary economic damage on an already extremely vulnerable UK economy.

“Depressingly, recession is looming for Britain and Johnson’s highly controversial tactics seriously increase the uncertainty which will further drag on investment and trade.

“In addition, it will further batter the beleaguered pound, which reduces people’s purchasing power. Weaker sterling means imports are more expensive, with rising prices typically being passed on to consumers.”

Mr Green added: “The situation in the UK is deteriorating.  As such individuals as well as businesses will, inevitably and quite sensibly, be looking to grow and safeguard their wealth by moving assets out of the UK through various established international financial solutions.

“Brexit has plunged Britain into an existential crisis that will last for generations. 

“It has also already cost billions upon billions of pounds. Indeed, it has cost the UK economy a staggering £66bn in just under three years, according to S&P Global Ratings.

“But perhaps even worse is the haemorrhaging of opportunity and confidence in the UK that will continue far beyond the Halloween deadline.”

The deVere CEO concludes: “Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament will have far-reaching economic effects, many of which will not be known for years to come.

“Domestic and international investors in UK assets need to watch the situation carefully and ensure that their portfolios are best-positioned to deal with the growing uncertainties.”

An online petition launched yesterday has already attracted more than one million signatures.

In other political news …

The UK Government must provide clarity on the economic impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit to let the Scottish Government plan for the potential consequences, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said.

During a meeting with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak in London today, Mr Mackay will also seek a “cast-iron guarantee” that all EU funding lost to Scotland will be replaced in full by the UK Government.

Mr Mackay said: “With just weeks to go until we are due to leave the EU, we remain deeply concerned about the impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and the severe impact it threatens to have on our economy and jobs, as well as the loss of vital EU funding to Scotland.

“The actions of the UK Government in attempting to shut down Parliament to force through a ‘no-deal’ outcome means that the UK stands on the cusp of an economic crisis. I will be making absolutely clear to the Chief Secretary that the UK Government must stop pursuing a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

“As a responsible government we are continuing to do all we can to stop a ‘no deal’ Brexit. With a ‘no deal’ scenario looking increasingly more likely, it is essential that the UK Government sets out openly and honestly what the economic consequences will be to enable the Scottish Government to prepare for the additional pressures we may face.

“It’s also vital that the UK Government sets out what support they intend to make available for companies who may struggle to survive in a  No Deal situation.  The Scottish Government’s analysis shows 100,000 jobs could be at risk. If the UK Government is determined to take us out of the EU and cause this economic harm, then it must set out what it will do to mediate these impacts.

“I will also press the Chief Secretary to provide a cast-iron guarantee that all EU funding lost will be replaced by the UK Government in full, including supporting our farmers by matching all existing support available through the Common Agricultural Policy and finally passing on the £160 million of convergence funding that has been withheld from Scotland for no reason.”

Good luck with that, Derek …

 

Best Start Grant: greater support for low income families

poverty family JRF

The new Best Start Grant package is putting more money in the pockets of low income families than the DWP system it replaced.

Since it started making Best Start Grant payments last December, Social Security Scotland has made more than 42,000 payments to families in Scotland, totalling £12.9 million. Continue reading Best Start Grant: greater support for low income families

First Ministers of Scotland and Wales urge new PM to rule out ‘no deal’ Brexit

Joint letter to the Prime Minister 

The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford have jointly written to the new Prime Minister asking him to immediately rule out a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

The First Ministers set out four steps the new Prime Minister can immediately take to establish a more productive relationship between the governments of the UK. These include:

· the need for the on-going Inter-governmental Relations Review to put in place more robust machinery for working together on the basis of greater equality.

· a commitment to full involvement of the devolved administrations in international negotiations which impact on devolved competence.

· the UK Government should ensure that Scotland and Wales would be no worse off if the UK does leave the EU.

· the Immigration White Paper should be replaced by proposals which reflect the needs of the economy of the whole of the UK.

They have also called for the UK Government to prepare for a second EU referendum.

The First Ministers say in their letter:

Dear Prime Minister

We congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister.  This comes at a critical time when all four nations of the country face unprecedented constitutional challenges which are placing great strain on the relationships between our governments.

We are concerned that you have not ruled out leaving the European Union without a deal on 31 October.  While we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for this eventuality, there should be no doubt that the consequences would be catastrophic for all parts of the UK.  It would be unconscionable for a UK Government to contemplate a chaotic no-deal exit, and we urge you to reject this possibility clearly and unambiguously as soon as possible.  We are also clear that the decision on EU exit must now be put back to the people.  It is the policy of both governments that the UK Parliament should legislate for a further referendum.  If such a referendum is held we will argue strongly that the UK should remain in the EU.

While the prospect of a no-deal exit exists, despite the differences between our governments, there must be strong and constructive joint planning and action to mitigate the effects so far as possible.  As recognised when we were preparing for a March deadline, this must be done in a way that fully respects devolution.  And in any next phase of the EU Exit process, the meaningful involvement of all the United Kingdom’s governments in the decisions that affect them is crucial.  This will require a significant shift in the culture and approach to intergovernmental relations we have experienced over the past three years, to ensure that proper respect is given to devolved interests and institutions.

Against this background, there are a number of early steps that could be taken to establish a more productive relationship between our governments.

First, we need to complete the Inter-governmental Relations Review to put in place more robust machinery for working together on the basis of greater equality.  We cannot reset the relationships and deliver these priorities without replacing the current inadequate inter-governmental machinery which is not fit for purpose.  We need to urgently replace the current arrangements with ones which recognise the equality of status of each government and provide an opportunity for genuine discussions and influence over policy making.  There is a need to build confidence in the respect for decisions made by the devolved institutions, especially legislative decisions under the Sewel Convention.  There is also a need for independently-facilitated mechanisms for resolving disputes.  Addressing these issues effectively requires urgent, meaningful and timetabled action, before any withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Second, we need a commitment to full involvement of the devolved administrations in international negotiations which impact on devolved competence.  If we leave the European Union, we will need to renegotiate the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union institutions and the rest of the world.  The interests and responsibilities of the devolved institutions and governments will be affected, directly and indirectly.  The devolved institutions and governments also have knowledge and expertise to contribute to the UK’s negotiating efforts.  The former Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster recognised the need for the UK Government to agree an enhanced role for the devolved institutions and governments in any such discussions and decisions.  We seek an early commitment from you to do just that, without prejudice to the full completion of the IGR Review.  The Scottish and Welsh Governments and our Parliaments cannot be expected to co-operate on implementing obligations in devolved areas where we have not been fully involved in the determination of those obligations.

Third, your Government needs to make good the promises made by the Leave campaign that Scotland and Wales would be no worse off as a result of leaving the EU.  We require a commitment that there will be no financial detriment to the devolved administrations and the public sector more generally in Wales and Scotland in consequence of the EU withdrawal process.  The forthcoming Spending Review should end the policy of austerity in the interest of all governments.  The establishment of successor arrangements for EU funding must be based on genuine engagement and fully respect the devolution settlements.  The lack of any meaningful engagement between our governments on what a proposal for a UK wide Shared Prosperity Fund, agreed on the basis of parity, might look like is particularly concerning.  It would be unacceptable if the UK Government made unilateral decisions on spending in areas currently the responsibility of the devolved administrations, accountable to our respective legislatures and electorates.

Fourth, the Immigration White Paper needs to be replaced by proposals which reflect the needs of the economy of the whole of the United Kingdom. The impact on Scotland and Wales of the UK Government’s proposals to end EU free movement of people has been continually ignored.  Both countries will face severe demographic, economic and social challenges should the UK Government continue to reinforce the commitment to cut net migration to the ‘tens of thousands’.  We must urgently discuss how to collaboratively develop migration policy in a way that fully meets the distinct needs of each part of the UK.

These changes cannot be delivered without proper consideration of any differences of understanding between governments in relation to the devolution settlement: relationships between and roles of the UK and devolved governments, and thus the basis of engagement. The devolution settlement does not create a hierarchy of governments: each administration has its area of competence, for which is accountable to an elected legislature.  There is therefore a need for negotiation and agreement between the governments to be recognised as the only possible basis for successful joint working.

Your appointment provides an important opportunity to recognise the significance of these issues and put in place actions required to reset relationships for the effective governance of the United Kingdom.  We ask that you convene a meeting of the Heads of Government as soon as possible so that we can discuss these critical issues as a matter of urgency. 

Your agreement to these steps would be an important signal to us, to our legislatures and to our peoples of the positive way in which you intend to work with us during your tenure.

Yours sincerely

NICOLA STURGEON                                MARK DRAKEFORD