The City of Edinburgh Council benefitted from a nationwide increase of 2.7% in education spending last year, thanks to Scottish Government efforts to close the attainment gap and provide local authorities with a fair funding deal. Local MSP Ben Macpherson says that means a good deal for the city’s schoolchildren. Continue reading Schools spending boost for Edinburgh
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.
Local MSP calls for opposition parties to support investment in Scotland’s capital
Labour and the Lib Dems should stop aligning with the party of austerity, according to Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson. The SNP MSP has challenged opposition parties to now back the Scottish Government’s support for jobs, wages and public services in Edinburgh after the government’s budget was passed at Holyrood this week. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: Back our budget and support Edinburgh!
A group of MSPs from the Local Government and Communities Committee met with Edinburgh’s homeless community at the Streetwork crisis centre on Wednesday. Continue reading MSPs hear first-hand from Edinburgh’s homeless community
GREENS URGE FM TO PRESS AHEAD WITH YOUNG CARERS ALLOWANCE
A new study published by the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner explores the mental health and wellbeing of young carers in Scotland— and reveals that more than one in four are doing the caring on their own.
Continue reading Just coping: one in four young carers do the caring alone
Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson has hailed the Scottish Government’s business rates rise cap, saying it’s a commitment to local businesses. Opposition MSPs have welcomed the decision but say it’s a humiliating U-turn by the Finance Secretary. Continue reading Cheers! Government rethink on business rates
UK government plans to require compulsory ID for voting have been described as a “Tory ploy that would disenfranchise the poorest” – with more than half of adults living in low-income households not owning a full driving license.
Continue reading Macpherson: Voting plans would disenfranchise the poorest
Scottish Secretary David Mundell met with Scottish MEPs, EU academics and business representatives in Brussels on Thursday to discuss how the UK Government is representing people and business interests in Scotland. Continue reading Scottish Secretary flies the flag in Europe
Dear Editor,
Actions by the Tory-led governments of 2010 and 2015 to deal with the financial crisis (caused not by the people, but by banks and financial institutions) was to immediately pass the debt onto the majority of people by restricting wages and reducing funding for services of all kinds.
They also launched a tremendous appeal to the people assuring them that “we are all in this together”, this worked for a while but very quickly their tactic of divide and rule was brought into play, blaming sections of the population being scroungers and or skivers, the Disabled, those on benefits, particularly those on Housing benefit etc, to justify further cuts in wages and essential services.
After over 6 years, people were seeing through their talk of “ a big society “ and “ all in this together “ speeches and began to realise they had been conned. This posed a threat to the continuation of Tory control, so out went David Cameron, and in came Theresa May saying in her first speech she would do things differently, make changes to bring about a more just society and again making a Tory appeal for support from the people, claiming that the Tories are now the party for working people.
This puts into context the continuous attack on Jeremy Corbyn in the press, in Parliament and other sections of the media. The Tories know his ability to speak the language of working people and therefore his capability of winning an election: this, the Tories fear.
The millions and millions of people who have seen and felt the difference between the words and deeds of the Tories must now re-awaken nationwide activity and campaign to make real changes to our society.
A Delahoy,
Silverknowes Gardens,
