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
More than 265,000 households have received £140 million since the creation of the Scottish Welfare Fund in April 2013. Figures published yesterday show that between April and June of this year councils received 42,005 applications for Crisis Grants, an increase of 11% on the same quarter the previous year. Continue reading Families in crisis: 265,000 Scottish households cry out for help
Low income families across Scotland will be thousands of pounds a year worse off per year because of welfare cuts imposed by the UK government, a new report has found. The Scottish Government report, ‘the Impact of UK Welfare Policy on Families with Children’, looks at what the policies implemented since 2015 will mean for families. Continue reading Report sets out ‘”devastating impact” of Westminster’s welfare cuts
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?
Increased Carer’s Allowance to be delivered next summer
The first social security payments to be delivered by the Scottish Government have been outlined to parliament by Social Security Secretary Angela Constance. Continue reading More cash for carers
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
Angela Constance: “Equality has taken ‘massive step backwards”
Women are being unfairly impacted by recent UK Government cuts to benefits and welfare eligibility, Equalities Secretary Angela Constance has said. Continue reading Women ‘hardest hit by welfare cuts’
A consortium of organisations, led by Poppyscotland, has been awarded £4 million from the Aged Veterans Fund to undertake a three-year programme of support for older veterans and their families in Scotland. Continue reading Unforgotten Forces Group awarded £4M to support older veterans
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith and Social Security Committee Member, Ben Macpherson has called on constituents across the city to claim the benefits that they are entitled to, following the launch of a Scottish Government awareness campaign. Continue reading Take up your benefits
