Tory welfare policies are destroying people ’ s lives
SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSIONER HITS OUT
THE chief of Scotland’s new Social Security Commission has accused the UK Government of destroying people’s lives with their welfare reforms – and has vowed to stop the damage.
Dr Sally Witcher, who takes on her role at the end of the month, is determined to hold the Scottish Government to their ambitious promise of creating a fairer, dignified system run from Holyrood.
As someone who claims disability support and has worked as a civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions, she brings a wealth of experience to the post.
In an interview with the Record, Witcher said she’s seen the system from both sides – and described some of it as horrifying.
She said: “I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that Universal Credit, and how it has been delivered, is destroying people’s lives.
“We’ve got food banks, rising child poverty. I’m sorry to say that reserved benefits have quite a role to play in that.
“I think there is hope that the Scottish social security system can be different – but we have to manage expectations. It isn’t going to be perfect but it is going to be evolving.
“I’m delighted that I’ll be in a position to make that happen.”
The Scottish Government named Witcher as the commissioner last week. She will head a group who will scrutinise the development of Scotland’s new social security system, which was set up thanks to the vow of more powers made by Westminster leaders in the run-up to the 2014 independence referendum.
Holyrood is getting more control in phases and has the power to alter benefits and set up some new ones.
Government ministers already promised to keep private sector assessors out of the system and reduce the use of sanctions against claimants.
Witcher, who is the head of charity Inclusion Scotland, can’t walk unaided for more than a few steps due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Her problems started after she sprained an ankle when she was two.
Now in her 50s, she claims the top rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for mobility and care.
She said: “I have been through some