Glasgow MSP says carers are missing out

Claims over failure to give a top up

The SNP government has been accused of letting carers in Rutherglen and Cambuslang down by a Labour politician.

James Kelly MSP claims carers in the two towns have missed out on an extra £250 since September because the SNP Government refuse to top up the carers allowance to the same rate as jobseeker’s allowance.

He claims the SNP have had the power to top up benefits since September but Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey accused him of being “disingenuous”.

According to official figures, there are 4850 carers in South Lanarkshire - more than any other authority other than Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

Mr Kelly, whose Glasgow constituency covers Rutherglen and Cambuslang, said: “Carers in Rutherglen and Cambuslang are missing out because the SNP government in Edinburgh is dragging its feet over using the new powers of the Scottish Parliament.

“Carers are the unsung heroes of our country. Thousands of people dedicate their lives to caring for others and save the government, particularly our NHS and social care system, billions of pounds because of their selfless care and attention.

“Local carers claiming the allowance would be £250 better off if the SNP had delivered at the first opportunity.

“There is cross party support for this policy. No party in the Scottish Parliament would have stood in the way of the SNP had they delivered it when they had the chance. It’s time for the SNP to move beyond warm words and actually keep their promises.”

At the SNP party conference in 2015, Nicola Sturgeon vowed to bring carers allowance into line with jobseekers allowance.

And Clare Haughey MSP said: “I am extremely disappointed to read Mr Kelly’s deliberate distortion of the situation regarding carer’s allowance.

“As he will be well aware, the Scottish Government cannot top-up this benefit without the co-operation and agreement of the department for work and pensions. It is completely disingenuous for him to suggest otherwise.

“The Scottish Government cannot deliver devolved benefits until the powers to do so are transferred, the legislation passed by parliament, and the delivery infrastructure in place.

“As Mr Kelly will know, this is a key policy area for the SNP Government, who will be proud to deliver an uplift in carer’s allowance as soon as we are able to.

“It is disgraceful that Labour would seek to cause unnecessary distress and uncertainty for carers and their families by misrepresenting the facts in this way.”