TODAY: leaves HOLYROOD PARK at 1pm
Tag: Holyrood
Support for automatic access to Blue Badge Scheme for people with MND
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has given his support to the campaign for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) to receive automatic access to the Blue Badge scheme. Continue reading Support for automatic access to Blue Badge Scheme for people with MND
Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans
The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is to put new proposals on managing disputes over children when families break down under the microscope.
The Committee has launched a call for views to inform its scrutiny of the plans which are contained in the Scottish Government’s new Children Bill. Continue reading Justice Committee seeks views on family breakdown plans
Five year terms for MSPs and councillors? Have your say
Should politicians get an extra year in office – or is four years already too long? Proposals to change the way national and local elections are run in Scotland are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Continue reading Five year terms for MSPs and councillors? Have your say
Controversial Named Person scheme is ditched
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced that the mandatory named person scheme for every child – enshrined in the Children And Young People Act 2014 – will be repealed.
Mr Swinney also confirmed that the proposed new law on information sharing on named persons will not proceed. Continue reading Controversial Named Person scheme is ditched
Briggs: blame Scottish Government for delayed discharge crisis
Extent of the impact social care crisis is having on delayed discharge in Lothian revealed
Latest figures for delayed discharge, from the Delayed Discharge NHS Scotland (Annual Release) show the extent of the challenge facing Integration Joint Boards in Lothian. Continue reading Briggs: blame Scottish Government for delayed discharge crisis
Public views sought on Bill to make period products free for all
Should period products be freely available by law across Scotland? That’s the question being posed by Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee.
The Committee is considering a Bill which would ensure everyone in Scotland who needs to use period products can obtain them free of charge through a “period products scheme”. Continue reading Public views sought on Bill to make period products free for all
Review of S4 – S6 education is needed, says Holyrood committee
A review of the senior phase of curriculum for excellence is needed to ensure that pupil aspirations are being met and that breadth of opportunity remain a cornerstone of Scottish education. Continue reading Review of S4 – S6 education is needed, says Holyrood committee
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:
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