Welfare budget

On the day when the Scottish Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman MSP, answered questions in the chamber regarding the ongoing review of additional powers on welfare being devolved to the Scottish Parliament, some welfare statistics were revealed regarding the use of the Scottish Government’s ‘Welfare Fund’ for the second quarter of 2016.

The Welfare Fund in Scotland was introduced to mitigate the effects of welfare reforms, sanctions and the bedroom tax being made by the UK government.

The spend for this quarter (April-june) was in excess of £9 million in crisis grants and community care grants, a figure that indicates the UK government’s welfare reforms and sanctions are sending many families into poverty, failing many households.

The new devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament assoexperts” ciated with welfare are very welcome, but only equate to 15.3 per cent of the total welfare spend in Scotland. What about the other 84.7 per cent? Should this not be devolved to allow the Scottish Government to conduct a real root and branch review of welfare and the needs of those living in Scotland?

Scotland’s ageing population, whose pensions and benefits are not devolved are a case in question for all welfare powers / spend to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, where decisions can be made reflecting the needs of Scotland. CATRIONA C CLARK

Hawthorn Drive Banknock, Falkirk