SOCIAL SECURITY BILL BRANDED A MINISTERIAL POWER GRAB

Mark Griffin – Labour 

The SNP government’s Social Security Bill has been branded a ministerial power grab by Scottish Labour.

 

In a party submission to the Social Security Committee’s call for the evidence on the Bill, Labour outlines concerns about the Bill putting too much power into the hands of Scottish Ministers, and failing to guarantee key commitments in law such as:

• A ban on private sector contractors.
• Uprating payments in line with inflation.
• A commitment to a universal winter fuel payment.
• Ensuring everyone gets the payments to which they are entitled.

 

The Bill also fails to establish a legal framework for creating new benefits – a tool which could be used to protect WASPI women and reinstate Housing Benefits for 18-21 year olds.

 

Labour will seek to amend the Bill when as it progresses in Parliament to strengthen protections for the vulnerable and make the legislation more ambitious.

 

Labour Social Security spokesperson Mark Griffin said:

 

“Labour is signed up to make the new system a success, which is why we have repeatedly demanded that the delivery of a new social security system is progressed more swiftly. We are concerned that, for all the warm words we have heard so far, progress has been slow and, as a result, Scottish people who are disabled, poor, sick, or elderly, will continue to suffer.

 

“We also have more fundamental concerns about this Bill. The Scottish Government is seeking, substantial ministerial power, without adequate scrutiny or accountability mechanisms.

 

“While Scottish Labour shares the aspiration to deliver a fairer system built on the foundations of dignity and respect, we are disappointed that this Bill has failed to deliver what was meant to be landmark legislation.

 

“As a starting point the Bill fails to take the opportunity to guarantee key commitments – banning private sector companies from delivering disability assessments, preventing winter fuel payments from being means-tested, accepting government has a duty to maximise incomes, and uprating benefits in line with inflation – in legislation.

 

“On these points, Labour is clear it will seek to amend the Bill to make good these failings.

 

“The first Social Security Act of the Scottish Parliament should be a watershed moment in the progress of devolution. It should deliver for Scots who are being humiliated and mistreated by a UK Government which has cut £1.1 billion from social security payments, with another £1 billion to come, and for people with disabilities who are suffering “grave and systematic violations” of their rights.

 

“We want to see rights-based legislation with clear entitlements, that puts money in people’s pockets. This response does not intend to identify all the concerns we have about the Bill, but will set out key areas where we believe Committee is required to take action.”

 

 

NOTES

 

The submission can be read in full here: http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Social_Security/Inquiries/081._Scottish_Labour_Party.pdf

Have your say on proposed transformation of Clydebank town centre

Residents and businesses of Clydebank are being invited to give their views on a £4.3million plan to transform pedestrian, cycle and traffic routes in the town.

West Dunbartonshire Council and ‘Connecting Clydebank’ project partners Sustrans Scotland are holding a Drop-In consultation event at Clydebank Town Hall on Tuesday, September 12 between 3pm and 8pm ─ and everyone is encouraged to attend in order to have their say.

Sustrans Scotland has provisionally awarded £2million of match funding to the Connecting Clydebank project through its Community Links Programme, which is funded by Transport Scotland. The project will also receive funding from West Dunbartonshire Council’s Capital Regeneration Fund.

Sustrans Scotland will work with the Council to transition the funding from provisional to full funding over the next three years, following the delivery of a detailed communications plan and agreement on final designs which improve cycling and walking connections across the A814.

Connecting Clydebank aims to revitalise the civic core of the town, forming essential links between the Town Hall on Glasgow Road, the ongoing multi-million pound Queens Quay regeneration project and the existing town centre.

It will include removing the central reservation between Hall Street and Hume Street, realigning key junctions and raising sections of the road to pavement level to assist pedestrians in crossing the road.

These significant improvements will create a safer and more attractive route from the town centre to Queens Quay in order to encourage active travel such as cycling and walking. It specifically takes in the stretch of the A814 between Clydebank Library and to the west of the Argyll Road junction.

A mandatory 20mph speed limit on this stretch of the A814 will make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists and, research shows, reduce traffic congestion.

The Connecting Clydebank project originated from a successful Charrette process in 2015 and, since then, has been progressing in consultation with funding partner Sustrans.

Initial views on the project were sought from local residents and businesses in December 2016. In recent months, the design has been advanced, taking into account the comments received so far and the results of detailed technical assessments and traffic modelling.

A detailed layout has now been produced and will be shared with the public at the event on September 12.

Sustrans Scotland National Director John Lauder added: “We are really pleased to be partnering with West Dunbartonshire Council on this project.

“The proposed changes to the A814 will help to transform the civic heart of Clydebank and make it easier for residents and visitors to the area to walk and cycle for more of the journeys they make every day.

“Feedback from the consultation in September will help to inform the designs further, helping to ensure that the people of Clydebank have a say in how their town will be shaped for future generations.”

Anyone who is unable to attend the event can find out about the plans at the Council website at www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/connectingclydebank and can issue their feedback using the email address regeneration@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH LABOUR LEADERSHIP

Alex Rowley – Labour – Mid Scotland and Fife
May 2016. Pic – Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliame

Alex Rowley has become interim leader of the Scottish Labour Party, following the resignation of Kezia Dugdale.

The Executive Committee of the Scottish Labour Party will meet next weekend, on Saturday 9 September, to agree the timetable and process for a leadership election.

Interim Scottish Labour leader Alex Rowley said:

“Under the leadership of Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour Party is stronger and more united than it was when she took the job, we have a platform on which to build. On behalf of the party, I wish her well.”

General Secretary of the Scottish Labour Party Brian Roy said:

“Over the coming weeks the Scottish Executive Committee of the Labour Party will decide the process and timetable for a leadership election.”

ROBISON SHOULD GO IN RESHUFFLE AS KEY WAITING TIMES SOAR

Anas Sarwar – Labour – Glasgow
May 2016. Pic – Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament

Labour has called for Shona Robison to be removed as Health Secretary in the expected forthcoming government reshuffle as new official figures show key NHS waiting times have been missed again.

Figures released today by ISD Scotland, show a 10 per cent year-on-year fall in performance to 82 per cent for the Treatment Time Guarantee – a legal right the SNP gave patients so they could expect treatment within 12 weeks.

The number of patients who had to wait over 12 weeks in June 2017 was 13,357 almost double the 6,951 in June 2016 and the 4,056 in June 2015.

The independent statistics also show a 10 per cent fall year-on-year in meeting key diagnostics tests. The Scottish Government’s standard is that patients should wait no longer than six weeks for one of eight diagnostic tests, including MRI scans. Figures released today shows that only82.9 per cent of patients waited less than six weeks compared to 92.2 per cent at the same time last year.

There has been media speculation since the General Election that Nicola Sturgeon plans a reshuffle of her cabinet. Labour today said it was time for Shona Robison to be removed from her current post, and more support delivered for NHS staff.

Labour health spokesperson, Anas Sarwar, said:

“The SNP government makes promises to patients and then doesn’t give the NHS the resources it needs to meet those standards.

“This government gave patients a legal right to expect treatment within 12 weeks. That law has now been broken tens of thousands of times.

“A 10 per cent fall in key diagnostics tests is also unacceptable. These standards are there to ensure that people get the benefit of early detection and have the best opportunity of a full recovery, but more and more patients are having to wait longer than the six weeks.

 “After a decade of SNP mismanagement staff are overworked, undervalued, under resourced and underpaid. Shona Robison is clearly out of her depth and out of ideas.

“We have a workforce crisis in our health service. Our hospitals don’t have enough doctors and nurses and patients are losing out.

“This cannot go on. If Nicola Sturgeon is planning a reshuffle she should move Shona Robison from the health brief and send a message that she is finally willing to give the health service the support it needs.

“Ministers who helped create the problems can’t be the ones to solve them. It is time for Shona Robison to go.”

NOTES 

There has been media speculation that Nicola Sturgeon intends to carry out a reshuffle – https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/sturgeon-set-for-post-recess-snp-relaunch-krgxc238b 

Figures released today show:

18 Weeks Referral to Treatment Quarter End – 30 June 2017

84.8% of patients were seen within the 18 Week Referral to Treatment standard during month ending 30 June 2017.  This compares to 83.2% seen during month ending 31 March 2017 and 87.0% during month ending 30 June 2016.

Diagnostic Waiting Times Quarter Ending 30 June 2017

82.9% of patients waiting for a key diagnostic test at 30 June 2017 had been waiting less than six weeks. This compares to 86.7% at 31 March 2017 and 92.2% at 30 June 2016

Inpatient, Day case and Outpatient Stage of Treatment Waiting Times data to 30 June 2017

81.4% of patients were seen within the 12-week Treatment Time Guarantee (inpatients and day cases) for quarter ending 30 June 2017. This compares to 82.2% during quarter ending 31 March 2017 and 91.3% during quarter ending 30 June 2016

74.0% of patients waiting for a new outpatient appointment at 30 June 2017 had been waiting 12 weeks or less. This compares to 80.7% at 31 March 2017 and 85.7% at 30 June 2016

Source:  http://www.isdscotland.org/index.asp

Robison’s failings mount up

Today’s publications follow recent revelations which show Robison’s handling of the health service has failed to improve its fortunes.

Last year the Daily Record reported that 19 of the NHS’s local delivery plan standards were failing under Robison.

At least seven of the targeted areas have shown a marked deterioration over the last year.

Those where performance has worsened are:

● Cancer waiting times

● Guarantees for waiting no longer than 12 weeks for agreed treatment

● Standards for waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to

treatment

● Standards for an outpatient appointment within 12 weeks

● Standards for children and adolescent mental health service waiting times

● Waiting times for psychological therapies and NHS sickness absence

Source: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health/missed-targets-show-scotlands-nhs-11021958

SNP GOVERNMENT WATER DOWN ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPORT

Responding to reports that Audit Scotland removed a reference to a 41 per cent drop in college student headcount in a report into Scotland’s colleges following contact from the SNP government, Labour education spokesperson Iain Gray said: 

 

“There are two issues here – the damage the SNP’s cuts have had on young people, and the disgraceful way the government is trying to cover up any independent report that highlights those cuts.

“This culture of the SNP government putting pressure on independent experts is simply unacceptable and actively harming transparency and good governance in Scotland.

“This revelation comes after reports that civil servants challenged the language around cuts to further education in the draft report from the poverty adviser Naomi Eisenstadt.

“Before Holyrood broke up for summer recess Nicola Sturgeon attacked Audit Scotland, at First Minister’s Questions over this very report – which we now know was watered down.

These aren’t isolated incidents. There is a clear pattern. Attack the experts.

“The facts are that under the SNP we now have the lowest level of full time students since 2007, with thousands of young people having their opportunities cut off by an SNP government which has decimated Scotland’s colleges with cuts.

“SNP ministers had to know these cuts would fall on the poorest young people the hardest – but they went ahead and did it anyway.

“Rather than attempt to spin statistics the SNP would be better off adopting Labour’s plan to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to stop the cuts and invest in education instead.”

 

NOTES 

Watchdog dumped 41% college student fall from report after contact with SNP Government –http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15499982.Watchdog_dumped_41__college_student_fall_from_report_after_contact_with_SNP_Government/

SNP ordered expert to alter reports – https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snp-ordered-expert-to-alter-reports-00mkqds3h

FRESH CALL FOR CHILD BENEFIT TOP UP AS CHILD POVERTY INCREASES BY 70,000 IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

The SNP government should top up child benefit as a priority, Labour said, as new figures show 70,000 more children are living in poverty now than there were five years ago.

In 2011/12, 190,000 children were judged to be living in poverty after housing costs. In the last year figures were available that had increased to 260,000.

Labour said that Holyrood’s new powers over social security should be used to top up Child Benefit, a move that the Child Poverty Action Group estimates would lift 30,000 children out of poverty in Scotland.

It would benefit over half a million families across Scotland and has strong support in opinion polls and across civic Scotland.

This week Labour’s summer campaign, For The Many, will focus on what a radical Scottish Government could do if it were willing to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“Scotland should be the best place in the world to live, work, grow up and grow old in – and that starts with a fairer country.

“Over a quarter of a million children in Scotland living in poverty is a national scandal that should shame each and every one of us and should shock the SNP government into action.

“The SNP government should use the powers over social security to top up child benefit by £240 by 2020.

“That’s a move that would help over half a million families across Scotland, and lift 30,000 children out of poverty.

“These are the kind of positive, anti-austerity policies Scottish Labour will continue to push for in Holyrood. SNP MSPs should work with Labour and deliver a Scotland that works for the many.”

 

 

NOTES 

A previous poll has shown strong support for Labour’s Child Benefit top up – http://www.povertyalliance.org/article/child_benefit_top_up

 

Relative poverty after housing costs
	Scotland
2011/12	190000
2012/13	220000
2013/14	220000
2014/15	220000
2015/16	260000

 

Source: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/03/2213/downloads
Table A1

 

565,850 families in Scotland are in receipt of child benefit.

 

Source – https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics?keywords=&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=hm-revenue-customs&from_date=&to_date= 

 

COMMENT ON BBC INVESTIGATION INTO SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELLING

Monica Lennon – Labour 

Responding to a BBC Scotland investigation that more than 250,000 children in Scotland have no access to school-based counselling services,Labour inequalities spokesperson Monica Lennon said:

“Access to school-based counselling should be available to all pupils and Scottish Labour has been challenging the Scottish Government to implement our proposals for over a year.

“There is a growing child mental health crisis in Scotland and a lack of ambition on the part of the Scottish Government to respond, so we share the frustration of charities, parents and teachers.

“Young people deserve the best start in life and Scottish Labour will continue to press SNP Ministers on provision of school-based counselling across Scotland.”

 

Notes:

BBC investigation here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40959463

This storify highlights Labour repeatedly pressing the issue with the SNP  – https://storify.com/scottishlabour/mental-health-services-for-young-people-are-in-cri

HUGE INCREASE IN ADDITIONAL RATE TAX PAYERS – FRESH PRESSURE ON SNP OVER 50P TOP RATE OF TAX

On Monday Labour turned up the pressure on the SNP to introduce a 50p top rate of tax as new analysis reveals a huge increase in the number of people who would pay it since 2010.

New research from Labour, using HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data, shows that the number of individual Additional Rate taxpayers in Scotland – those with a total taxable income over £150,000 – has increased by 91% between 2010-11 and 2017-18.

Labour said the figures showed the growing inequality in society, as they sit alongside the highest figures for working poverty since devolution.

Labour has revealed the information ahead of the final week of recess which the party will use to focus on what a radical Scottish government could do to make Scotland a better place to live, work, grow up and grow old in.

The analysis puts fresh pressure on the SNP to clarify its position on a 50p top rate of tax . The party has flipped on 50p numerous times, supporting a top rate of 50p across the UK but not using the powers to tax the richest in Scotland.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:

“Labour supports a 50p top rate of tax because we think the richest should pay their fair share.

“It can’t be right that levels of working poverty are at their highest since the Scottish Parliament was established, but the SNP still won’t ask the richest to pay a little more in tax.

“A radical Scottish government focused on making Scotland a better place to live, work, grow up and grow old in should be using the powers of the Scottish Parliament to tax the richest and invest.

“Labour’s plan for a fairer Scotland means investing more in our public services, increasing child benefit to lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty, and stimulating economic growth through investment, not more cuts.

“The SNP’s refusal to tax the richest a little more means the poorest are being hit the hardest. Scotland can be a fairer and better place – it just needs a government willing to use the powers to stop the cuts and invest instead.”

NOTES 

Since 2010, the number of individual additional rate income taxpayers in Scotland has increased by 91%.

Number of individual additional rate income taxpayers in Scotland – 2010-11 to 2017-18
Year	Additional rate
2010-11	11,000
2017-18*	21,000
Change since 2010-11	10,000
% change	91

*Projected estimates based upon the 2013-14 Survey of Personal Incomes using economic assumptions consistent with the OBR’s March 2016 economic and fiscal outlook.

Source:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523711/Table_2.2.xlsx

 

In-work poverty in Scotland has increased since 2007 and now stands at its highest level since devolution 

Since 2007, the number of households in poverty where at least one adult works has increased by 150,000.

	Working Age Adults
	in in-work poverty
	000s	%
2006/07	270	50
2015/16	420	64
Change between 2006/07 and 2015/16	150

Source: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00515421.xls

Figures from the Scottish Government show that the proportion of households in poverty (after housing costs) which are working household now stands at the highest level since devolution at 64%.

Year	Working Age Adults
	In in-work poverty
	000s	%
1998/99	280	49
1999/00	260	44
2000/01	330	50
2001/02	290	51
2002/03	330	54
2003/04	270	48
2004/05	280	49
2005/06	320	55
2006/07	270	50
2007/08	300	53
2008/09	310	52
2009/10	310	51
2010/11	300	54
2011/12	270	50
2012/13	370	56
2013/14	300	51
2014/15	350	58
2015/16	420	64

 

Source: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00515421.xls

13,000 PEOPLE IN ARGYLL AND BUTE AND WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE WILL SEE PAY RISE UNDER LABOUR’S £10 PER HOUR REAL LIVING WAGE

Jackie Baillie – Labour

13,000 people in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute would get a pay rise under Labour’s plan for a £10 per hour living wage, analysis has revealed.

Analysis from the House of Commons library has shown there are 6000 people in West Dunbartonshire and 7000 people in Argyll and Bute who are earning less than the living wage.

As part of Labour’s commitments to improving the lives of working people across the UK, it will raise the Minimum Wage to the level of the Living Wage, which is expected to be at least £10 per hour by 2020, for all workers aged 18 or over, so that work pays.

Labour will abolish the lower youth rate, making everyone over 18 entitled to the Real Living Wage. This means that 21-24 year olds currently earning the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will be better off by over £4,500 in 2020.

Jackie said:

“Under Labour 13,000 people in Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire would get a pay rise with our £10 per hour real living wage.

“Too many people are one big bill away from really struggling. That simply isn’t good enough. Labour will always fight for better jobs and better wages.

“After years of stagnating pay, Scotland needs a pay rise – a Labour government run for the many, not the privileged few, will deliver it.”

NOTES 

These figures comes from House of Commons Library analysis based on the proportion and number of employee jobs paid below the then Living Wage at April each year by local authority of workplace, 2014-16 average

Local authority district	Average 2014-16
	% of employees	Number (thousands)
Aberdeenshire	22%	18
Aberdeen City	17%	26
Angus	29%	9
Argyll and Bute	21%	7
Clackmannanshire	25%	x
Dumfries and Galloway	30%	17
Dundee City	17%	14
East Ayrshire	26%	11
East Dunbartonshire	24%	5
East Lothian	22%	6
East Renfrewshire	30%	5
City of Edinburgh	14%	45
Falkirk	20%	12
Fife	23%	30
Glasgow City	17%	66
Highland	22%	22
Inverclyde	23%	6
Midlothian	20%	6
Moray	23%	8
North Ayrshire	25%	10
South Ayrshire	25%	11
North Lanarkshire	19%	23
Perth and Kinross	24%	15
Renfrewshire	21%	16
Scottish Borders	24%	9
South Lanarkshire	18%	19
Stirling	21%	8
West Dunbartonshire	19%	6
West Lothian	19%	17

Revealed: SNP Council Leader misled public over GP Out of Hours cuts

Jackie Baillie – Labour

Internal health board emails obtained by local MSP Jackie Baillie reveal that the SNP Leader of West Dunbartonshire Council misled the public when he claimed to have “secured” the GP out of hours service at the Vale of Leven Hospital.

Cllr Jonathan McColl tried to grab the headlines in July with a press statement claiming that he had received reassurances from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the long-term future of the Out of Hours service at the Vale was safe, following a meeting with the Chair of the health board.

Internal health board emails released under Freedom of Information laws confirm that the so-called reassurance was based on a briefing note which made no specific reference to retaining the service at the Vale of Leven Hospital or protecting its current opening hours.

The SNP Council Leader claimed that John Brown CBE, Chair of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde had “confirmed that the Out of Hours GP Service at the Vale of Leven Hospital is secure”. However in an email responding to Cllr McColl’s press release, John Brown told the health board’s Communication’s Director to give no guarantee that the service will remain at the Vale. He said: “I agree we need to stick to the agreed lines which confirm that we are committed to a service, without saying what that will be or where it will be delivered from once the review is completed.”

The future of the Vale’s GP Out of Hours service was thrown into doubt earlier this year when the health board sent a paper to West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership outlining proposals to downgrade it to a weekend-only service, with out of hours cover provided at the RAH in Paisley on Mondays to Fridays.

Jackie said:

“We already knew that the SNP’s bold claim about saving the Vale GP out-of-hours was ill-judged and premature because the health board wasted no time in confirming that the review was still going ahead.

“However these internal emails raise further questions about the Council Leader’s decision to deliberately issue a misleading press release and cause confusion among local patients and campaigners. It would appear that Cllr McColl has taken a bland and meaningless statement from the health board briefing which says nothing about the Vale of Leven Hospital and turned it into a cast-iron guarantee. This takes Chinese whispers to a whole new level.

“Behind the scenes the Chair of the health board admits that they will not answer questions about the future of the local out-of-hours GP service and where it will be based. This is completely unacceptable and I will continue to campaign alongside local GPs and patients to oppose any cuts to our local health services.”

Notes:

1. Communications Director Ally McLaws’ email to the Chair and Chief Executive of the board on 17/7/17: “Our briefing issued to Jonathan [McColl] on Friday says ‘The Board remains totally committed to providing a high quality OOH service to all communities across Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This commitment clearly extends to the population currently served by the Vale GP OOH service.’ This has been interpreted in the press release as ‘Health Board Chair John Brown CBE has confirmed that the Out of Hours GP service at the Vale of Leven Hospital is secure, and the previous draft report putting it under threat has been scrapped’.

2. Document attached with NHS GGC documents released under FOI. File 2_Redacted