Now Reading: Challenge Poverty Week Day 3: Social Security
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Challenge Poverty Week Day 3: Social Security
SNP Policies Boost Incomes for Most Vulnerable
On day three of Challenge Poverty Week, the SNP is highlighting the transformative impact of Scotland’s devolved social security system developed in recent years – one rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
Since the devolution of some areas of welfare, the SNP Scottish Government has set up Social Security Scotland with the intention of correcting the flaws in the approach taken to date by the UK Government’s Department of Work & Pensions (DWP).
Responsibility for many benefits has been transferred across, improving the experience of those claiming support and delivering some new benefits unique to Scotland.
Under the SNP, people across can access the following:
- The Scottish Child Payment, worth £26.70 per week to eligible children – which is keeping 60,000 children out of poverty this year.
- Another 13 payments from Social Security Scotland, seven of which are unique to Scotland – including five family payments, disability benefits, carers benefits, heating benefits and others.
- The most generous childcare package in the UK.
- Making Scotland a Fair Work Nation by 2025.
Meanwhile the Scottish Government is continuing work on a Minimum Income Guarantee for all Scots through fair paid work, strong public services and benefits.
The impact on poverty of the SNP Scottish Government’s approach to social security has been incredibly significant, with the Scottish Child Payment alone described as game-changing by anti-poverty charities and campaigners.
GRAEME
Modelling published in February estimated that SNP policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.
The Scottish Government is investing £3 billion in 2024/25 to directly support vulnerable and low-income households in the face of enormous financial pressures from Westminster.
Despite continue UK austerity under Labour, this is making a real difference to struggling households here in Angus and the length and breadth of Scotland.
