Carer’s Allowance increase puts dignity, fairness and respect at heart of society

The Scottish Government, in putting dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of the new Scottish Welfare System, received a ringing endorsement from the Holyrood Parliament this week and this was very welcome. In 2019 the Scottish Government will be taking charge of 11 devolved benefits and is taking a whole new approach to welfare. Under those devolved benefits the SNP Government has made a positive start for carers who save the country a fortune as they look after their loved ones. Carer’s Allowance (£62.70 per week) will be increased to bring it into line with Jobseeker’s Allowance (£73.10) and for the first time a young carer’s grant will be introduced for those who are still in education. There have been suggestions from some quarters that means testing be introduced in Scotland as part of the new welfare system, something that already exists under the Westminster Government’s current legislation (which currently affects Scotland).

I would suggest this would not only be unfair but morally repugnant, as it would not sit comfortably with the Scottish Government’s new social security system of dignity, fairness and respect. CATRIONA C CLARK

Hawthorn Drive Banknock, Falkirk

The Scottish Health report should shock us all (“Scotland’s health inequality gap shames us all, says BMA”, 20 December). This is happening under the guidance of the Scottish National Party. Obviously, something is going very wrong with government policy to exacerbate this situation. The answer is surprisingly simple – it is the SNP’S fixation with closing the attainment gap, not only in health and wealth but in education. The way they have set about solving the problem is flawed because they seem to think simply taking money or university places from the middle class to redistribute to the poor will work. But the way a society improves the lot of all of its population is to increase the global wealth available for redistribution. SNP policies directly attack this concept and Labour and the Greens would simply make it even worse.

Growth and productivity increases can only be initially generated from a thriving middle class. Where is the incentive for this when all that happens is higher SNP taxes applied only on to these wealth creators who already pay the most tax? This is why these inequalities are becoming worse and why, despite fierce criticism from the left, only the Conservative Party’s policies can attempt to provide long term improvements for everyone. The money needed has to come from somewhere. More than ten years of SNP rule show exactly how not to do it. (DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow