Scotland’s Social Security Bill will now be enshrined with a commitment to reducing poverty after a Green MSP’s amendment was passed by a committee. Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the commitment to reducing poverty means that Scotland will now be better committed to people in need, taking a different approach from the UK government. Continue reading Greens strengthen Social Security Bill
Anyone applying for social security assistance under Scotland’s new system will have a right to have someone with them during assessments or meetings, under new Scottish government plans. In a change from the current system, the amendment to the Social Security (Scotland) Bill lodged by Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman would ensure any applicant has the right to be accompanied if they need or want it.
The minister described the step as proof that Scotland would “do things differently”. Continue reading Doing things differently: Scottish social security applicants guaranteed support
Ahead of today’s Stage One vote at Holyrood on the Social Security Bill, Alison Johnstone MSP, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said rising inflation shows the need for the UK Government to scrap the benefits freeze and for the Scottish Government to ensure new devolved benefits increase with the cost of living.
She pressed the issue of uprating devolved benefits at least in line with inflation during committee scrutiny of the Social Security Bill.
A majority of the Social Security Committee has recommended that the Bill includes an annual duty on ministers to consider inflation when setting the rates of devolved benefits.
Inflation means annual household costs are rising 3.1 per cent, but the UK Government continues to keep a range of benefits frozen at 2015 levels, meaning that the real-terms value of many benefits is falling.
Sheffield Hallam University figures show that 700,000 Scots households a year will be worse off to the tune of £450 a year by 2020/21.
Alison Johnstone, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Vulnerable members of our communities are struggling with the rising cost of living due to a heartless UK Government that has frozen their financial support. The latest inflation figures show this problem will only get worse but with new devolved powers there’s a chance for Scotland to take a different approach.
“Scottish Ministers have indicated a pay rise for public sector staff that almost matches inflation, following years of real-terms cuts. The same principle must apply to devolved benefits covered by the new Social Security Bill, if we truly believe in a fairer Scotland.”
A survey of those with direct experience of the benefit system has shown that three out of five respondents rate the current UK welfare system as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The ‘About Your Benefits and You’ survey sought the views of social security experience panels members – individuals who are giving their views on the design of Scotland’s new welfare system. Continue reading Social Security Experience Panel survey results published
Social Security: What’s the point?
With just over a week until the consultation deadline on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill, the Poverty Alliance has written to its members and civil society organisations across Scotland urging them to make sure their voices are heard. Continue reading Have your say on Social Security Bill, urges Poverty Alliance
It will affect more than 1.4 million and will lead to expenditure of £2.9 billion a year, but what will the impact of the transfer of social security powers from Westminster to Holyrood mean for claimants? This is just one of the issues the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee will explore as it scrutinises the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. Continue reading Social Security plans for Scotland: how will YOU be affected?
Historic legislation to establish Scotland’s first social security system has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Social Security (Scotland) Bill will give the Scottish Government the powers to deliver eleven benefits devolved as part of the Scotland Act 2016. Continue reading Scotland’s own Social Security Bill published
Thousands of people with direct personal experience of the current benefits system have signed up to help shape the delivery of benefits in Scotland’s new social security system. As recruitment comes to a close, the latest volunteer figures for the Experience Panels stand at 2,335 – far in excess of the minimum 2,000 initially sought after – and applications will still be accepted over the next few weeks. Continue reading Still time to sign on to benefits Experience Panel
No place for private firms in new social security setup
Scotland’s new social security agency will put people before profits, with no private companies carrying out benefit assessments, Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman has announced. Continue reading Scotland’s social security agency will put people first
A clear plan is needed for the successful transfer of welfare powers according to a joint letter issued today by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee and Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee. Continue reading Clear plan needed for transfer of social security powers
