SNP COMMENT ON ROWNTREE REPORT

Attn: NEWSDESKS

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS

Commenting on a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation into poverty in

Scotland which concludes that:

“Most of the subjects where there are gaps in the Scottish Government’s

anti-poverty programme are to do with matters over which it has little

direct control. Obviously this includes the UK Government’s tax and

benefit system. But it also includes employment practices and the

provision of essential services which are in the hands of private and

public sector  bodies.”

SNP MSP for Cunninghame North Kenneth Gibson said:

“This highlights the problems for Scotland and for Scottish Government

efforts to tackle poverty caused by the limited powers the Scottish

Parliament has.

“Under current powers the SNP Government has invested in free school

meals, increased support for home insulation, expanded benefits health

checks and introduced smaller class sizes, particularly in deprived areas

to improve educational opportunities.

“Scottish Government spending has helped to keep people in work building

new schools, transport projects and affordable housing while action has

been taken to attract new businesses to Scotland to boost jobs and

increase apprenticeships.

“But with benefits and taxation policy falling to a Conservative

government Scotland will face an uphill struggle to tackle poverty without

the right powers at our disposal.

“Improvements in childcare, preventing people being caught in a poverty

trap, regulation of credit and measures to ensure everyone has access to a

decent pension are all policies the SNP would like to see implemented.

Howver without the powers to introduce them or to generate and access the

wealth we need to pay for anti-poverty measures Scotland is stuck with the

prospect of Conservative cuts to services that affect the most vulnerable.

“The SNP and Scottish Government will do what we can within Scotland's

powers to address poverty but this report should be a wake up call to

those who are happy to let the Tories run Scotland’s tax and welfare

system.  Without moving the full responsibility for our social and

economic wellbeing to the Scottish Parliament we will all be fighting

poverty with one hand behind our backs.”

ENDS

1. Conclusion of Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Scotland 2010

"Most of the subjects where there are gaps in the Scottish Government’s

anti-poverty programme are to do with matters over which it has little

direct control. Obviously this includes the UK Government’s tax and

benefit system. But it also includes employment practices and the

provision of essential services which are in the hands of private and

public sector  bodies.

One clear conclusion is that the Scottish Government needs to have

explicit policy positions on those crucial reserved matters that address

the particular needs of the lowest-income 30% of the population,

especially benefits and taxes. It also needs policies relating to matters

where the decisions are taken by employers and service providers in

Scotland. The political challenge is how such policies can be pursued."