RUSHED WELFARE REFORMS HIT SCOTLAND HARDEST

For Immediate Release – Monday 20th September 2010


Attn: NEWS DESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS




MEEK LABOUR ACCEPTANCE OF TORY/LIBDEM RULE SEES REPEAT OF POLL TAX EXPERIMENT


SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP, has expressed concern over a report from the Law Society of Scotland which forecasts the impact of the ConDem benefit reform in Scotland – and finds that Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Fife and Ayrshire will be worst affected. The report notes that 25 000 jobs in Scotland are being put at risk by UK Government cuts.


UK Government Ministers today (Monday) confirmed that Aberdeen the first area to move incapacity benefit claimants onto the new employment and support allowance (ESA). Around two thirds of those currently claiming JSA are not expected to qualify for the new allowance.


Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:


“After trialling the Poll Tax in Scotland the Tories and their LibDem partners are now trialling welfare cuts here which will hit the most vulnerable hardest. Obviously they think the general election result and Labour’s meek acceptance means that they can do what they like in Scotland.


“Reform of the benefits system is both overdue and necessary but the Tory/LibDem Coalition Government’s plan looks increasingly like an assault on the ill and disabled, with Tory and LibDem Ministers competing with each other over who can cut the most from the benefits budget.


“We must not have cuts for the sake of cuts. Not only would that risk forcing the truly vulnerable in society into a perilous position, it also takes vital capital out of the economy without consideration of the impact.


“While reform is necessary, it must be done carefully and decisions on entitlements based on medical need – not government spin.”


ENDS