Day job goes well

‘Getting on with the day job’ is a statement often referring to our politicians and I was heartened to see the Scottish Government clearly demonstrating this in two Ministerial statements (Scotsman, 19 September).

First we had a statement from Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman giving the parliament updates on ‘Delivering Social Security for Scotland’s People’, and the establishment of a Social Security Agency based between Dundee and Glasgow, to assist claimants with devolved welfare powers.

It was particularly satisfying to hear the Minister state that the Scottish Government’s intention is to establish a system in contrast to the merciless system of the DWP, one which treats claimants with respect and dignity.

The establishment of agencies in Dundee and Glasgow has the added bonus of the creation of 1500 jobs.

This was followed by a ministerial statement by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart on the harrowing issue of homelessness as he launched an initiative aimed at ‘ending homelessness together’.

Mr Stewart did give some encouraging figures that homelessness applications had reduced by a third since 2010.

The minister went on to inform Holyrood that funding of £50m over a five-year period was being made available along with other funding for addiction services to tackle this issue.

It was pointed out that benefit sanctions and the roll out of Universal Credit was exacerbating the situation for many in housing crisis.

In those statements, we see a Government in Scotland tackling the issues that are at the centre of a socially just society.

CATRIONA C CLARK Hawthorn Drive, Banknock,

Falkirk