Tag: Westminster

Over 100,000 children to be hit by Two-Child Cap in Edinburgh

TORY GOVERNMENT MUST SCRAP “HEARTLESS” POLICY – SNP

13.1% of the total number of children in Edinburgh could be affected by the two-child cap, according to new research – prompting more calls for the UK Government to scrap the “heartless” policy.

The “two-child policy” allows low-income families to claim child tax credits or universal credit for their first two children only.

New research from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) (see report, below)has revealed that 160,000 families have had their income slashed by the two-child limit to-date. The charity estimates that more than 3 million children across the UK could eventually be affected by the benefit cap.

SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Social security should be a safety net for all of us, but the two-child limit is having a devastating effect on families up and down the country, with 10,305 children in Edinburgh set to be affected by it. 

“All families are valuable and worthy of support, but this heartless policy turns people away when they most need support, and leaves children to grow up in hardship – which can have lifelong consequences for their health and wellbeing.

“The SNP government has been left to pick up the pieces, investing over £125 million to mitigate callous Tory welfare policies.

“In addition, the Scottish Government is introducing a Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty. Without the two-child cap, this payment could go so much further.

“We have an aging population and we will be relying on children and young people in the years to come.

 “The next Tory Prime Minister should make it a priority to tackle the unacceptable levels of poverty we are seeing as a direct result of the UK Government’s welfare policies, starting with reversing the two-child limit and horrendous ‘rape clause.”

All Kids Count report FINAL_0

Scotish Government starts process for a new independence referendum

The Scottish Government has published legislation to set the rules for any referendum within the competence of the Scottish Parliament. The SNP, supported by the Scottish Greens, want to hold a referendum before the end of next year – but they need Westminster’s permission, and it’s unlikely that the current UK government will give their assent. Continue reading Scotish Government starts process for a new independence referendum

UK Government ideology responsible for systemic poverty, says UN expert

Damning indictment of Tory policies

The UK Government’s policies have led to the ‘systematic immiseration of millions across Great Britain’, the UN’s expert on poverty and human rights said in a report released on Wednesday. UN Rapporteur Philip Alston has called for a new vision that embodies compassion to end the unnecessary hardship.   Continue reading UK Government ideology responsible for systemic poverty, says UN expert

MSPs demand UK Government protect date of Universal Credit claim

A new service launched by the DWP which does not protect the date a Universal Credit claim begins has been described as ‘deeply alarming’ by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee. Continue reading MSPs demand UK Government protect date of Universal Credit claim

Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today outlined the steps the Scottish Government will take to progress the debate on Scotland’s future in light of Brexit, and the action to be taken to protect the option for an independence referendum to be held within the current term of the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Brexit highlights cracks in broken Britain

Scots face uncertainty over return to homeland

UK Government immigration proposals threaten family reunification

Scots who currently live in another EU country, but who hope to come back to live in Scotland one day, will find it much harder to bring family members with them when they return, if and when the UK leaves the EU.

That is the prospect facing thousands of Scots as a consequence of the UK Government’s proposals for UK citizens in the EU post Brexit, Scottish Government Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Macpherson said today.

Mr Macpherson said that UK citizens living in the EU deserved guarantees from the UK Government about their rights to return home with family members if and when the UK leaves the EU.

“The ‘Stay in Scotland’ campaign launched by the First Minister earlier this month made clear how much the Scottish Government values the contributions made by EU citizens living and working in Scotland,” he said.

“Of course the negative consequences of the UK Government’s planned exit from the EU also extend to the rights of UK citizens living in other member states, and I am particularly concerned about the implications for those who hope to return to Scotland with their families in the future.

“Under UK Government proposals, due to come into effect in 2022, someone with a non-UK national spouse and children will no longer be allowed to return to Scotland with his or her family unless strict financial thresholds are met. This is unfair.

“I do not accept that someone’s ability to return to Scotland should be judged through arbitrary financial requirements, that do not take into account individual and often compassionate circumstances. The UK Government must seriously reconsider their proposals.

“Scots who want to return to Scotland from elsewhere in the EU should be able to bring their families with them, no matter how much they earn.”