Scottish Poverty Alliance Backs SNP

The Poverty Alliance has backed the SNP’s call to put dignity and respect at the heart of Scotland’s social security system.

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, Director of the Poverty Alliance Peter Kelly said that: “When we talk to people who’re living on low incomes, whether they’re in work or whether they’re out of work, one of the things they talk to us about all the time is that sense of being treated with dignity that sometimes just doesn’t happen enough.”

The Scottish Parliament will be responsible for £2.7bn of social security payments, with power over 11 existing benefits including Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance.

In December the Scottish Government set out the principles it would follow on social security, putting dignity and respect at the heart of devolved welfare.

The Scottish Government has already confirmed it will use its new powers to:

• Increase Carer’s Allowance to the same rate as Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Abolish the bedroom tax
• Introduce flexibilities around how Universal Credit is paid including giving people choice to be paid twice monthly, and direct payments to social landlords
• Scrap the 84 day rule which removes income from the families of disabled children.

Commenting, SNP MSP Clare Adamson said:

“The SNP is determined to put dignity and respect at the heart of social security – and I am delighted to see backing from the Poverty Alliance for these progressive plans.

“We want to ensure that the limited powers coming to Scotland are well-managed, cost-effective and used to tackle inequality.

“We all benefit from the social security system at different points in our lives.  It’s essential that those who rely on social security – such as carers or disabled people – are treated with the dignity they deserve.”

Peter Kelly, Director

Peter joined the Poverty Alliance as Policy Manager in 2002, becoming Director in 2004.  He is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the organisation, ensuring that the Alliance is delivering the objectives set by the board and members.  Peter also represents the Alliance in a variety of forums and networks including Scottish Drugs Forum and Energy Action Scotland. He is also currently Vice President of the European Anti-Poverty Network.   Peter is also Company Secretary on the Board of the Alliance.

Before joining the Alliance he worked at the Scottish Low Pay Unit, helping to campaign for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.