Latest news with #CommonWeal
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Katy Loudon open to increasing the Scottish Child Payment
The Scottish Child Payment currently issues £27.15 per week to families in receipt of means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, for each child under 16. It has been described as a "game changer", with more than 23 charities now joining The Herald's campaign, which urges the First Minister to uplift the benefit. The Herald's campaign also demands Sir Keir Starmer abolishes the two-child benefit cap as a matter of urgency, with open letters sent to both political leaders. Ms Loudon said child poverty was one of the key issues on the doorstep - but stressed the Scottish Child Payment had been lauded by local charities as helping to lift children in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency out of poverty. Asked whether she agreed with The Herald's campaign on whether the Scottish Child Payment should be increased, Ms Loudon said: "It is a conversation we need to have." But she added: "Obviously public finances are tight." Read more: The by-election candidate, however, refused to say whether she thought Mr Swinney was wrong to suggest parents would be encouraged not to work if the benefit increased any further. The First Minister told The Herald in April the benefit was at its "limit", warning that further increases could "reduce the incentive to actually enter the labour market". Those remarks drew strong criticism from the charities that backed The Herald's campaign. It was later revealed through freedom of information requests submitted by Common Weal that the Scottish Government held no evidence to support this claim. Ms Loudon was asked by The Herald whether Mr Swinney's claim was fair on the constituents she hoped to serve. She did not respond, instead describing the Scottish Child Payment as "transformative". When pressed repeatedly by The Herald on this remark, she said: 'I haven't heard the comment you're referring to'. She added it was a 'very complex issue which is multi-factorial and the Scottish Government are taking action'. Ms Loudon added: 'I'm really interested in the ideas which are developing. My background is in education, working with children and families and I'm really interested in the ideas that are developing around whole family support.' Read more: 'Yes, cash straight to families is a super important part of that,' she said. 'It's also making sure that people are accessing what they need, that can be very practical support, it can be with food, it can be with access to benefits. It can be with housing and charities in this constituency are doing that amazing work. 'It's also about the emotional support. It's about wellbeing support. It's about breaking down some of the barriers that families are experiencing, whether that's fear of judgment, overwhelming information.' Ms Loudon is thought to be the favourite in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election after Reform UK stated winning in the constituency was "improbable". Scottish Labour, however, remain defiant they can beat the SNP. The Scottish Child Payment has been credited for the country's progress in reducing child poverty - but experts warn flagship targets will be missed unless the benefit is increased to £40. Child poverty rates in Scotland decreased to 22% in 2023-24, down from 26% in the previous year. But by 2030, the Scottish Government has committed to reducing child poverty to under 10%. Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, criticised the First Minister's comments at the time. He said: "The vast majority of parents on the lowest incomes aren't weighing up work incentives, they're weighing up whether they can afford to put food on the table." Independent analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) indicates that this increase could list an extra 20,000 children out of poverty. Meanwhile, the Fraser of Allander Institute suggests it would lead to a further 2.5 percentage point reduction in poverty – putting the Scottish Government on track to meet its targets.
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Pro-indy figures write to Keir Starmer over referendum 'snub'
The Prime Minister dismissed the idea of an independence vote if the SNP get a majority at next year's Holyrood elections when he spoke to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme earlier this week. He claimed there was a need for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom in order to remain safe, as he released his defence review in a visit to Govan. READ MORE: Douglas Ross slapped down by Holyrood Presiding Officer after FMQs ejection Despite how John Swinney has established his strategy as building "demonstrable support" for independence through Government, Starmer said no one had raised the subject with him 'as their first priority'. His comments came after a Norstat poll suggested that support for independence was at 54%, but would rise to almost 60% if Reform UK leader Nigel Farage took power at Westminster. Now, a group of leading figures in the independence movement have accused Starmer of "snubbing" democracy and devolution. Among those to have signed the letter include journalist and National columnist Lesley Riddoch, Believe in Scotland (BiS) founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, and Common Weal's head of policy and research, Dr Craig Dalzell. Lesley Riddoch (Image: Gordon Terris) The letter states that the Prime Minister's "offhand dismissal" of a second referendum has led the group to restate their commitment to campaigning for independence. It reads: "Sir Keir Starmer's offhand dismissal of Scotland's right to choose its own constitutional future is predictable yet hugely disappointing. "So this is a statement of our intent to keep campaigning for independence, an option currently favoured by more than half the Scottish population in recent opinion polls, and for the democratic right to choose – something embedded in legislation for Northern Ireland but repeatedly denied to Scotland." The group continued: "The Labour leader may think he is simply challenging the SNP before a critical by-election this week and Scottish elections next year. But Scotland's future is not an electoral game. READ MORE: Nigel Farage's Scottish conspiracy theories fit Reform's agenda. Don't fall for it "By denying a second referendum regardless of the 2026 election outcome, the Prime Minister is snubbing democracy, devolution and the many Scots who once viewed his party as the best democratic option to the Conservatives at Westminster." The group said that Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK "clearly offer no democratic resolution to Scotland's constitutional impasse". The letter adds that this is "precisely why we restate our determination to keep working towards independence". The following individuals signed the letter: Lesley Riddoch, journalist Dr Craig Dalzell, head of policy and research, Common Weal Ian Grant, Independence Forum Scotland Dr Tim Rideout, convener, Scottish Currency Group Elise Tallaron, convener,Yes for EU Mary Sinclair, Yes Caithness Fraser Thompson, Time for Scotland Gordon Macintyre-Kemp, Business for Scotland Robert Furness, Yes Greater Glasgow Adrian Doherty, Yes Linwood Andrew Wilson, Scottish Independence Foundation Stuart Kerr Brown, Yes West Lothian Roza Salih, convener, Scottish Independence Convention Jacqui Jensen, Yes Perth Ken MacDonald. former BBC Scotland presenter Lloyd Quinan, Yes Craigmillar and Niddrie Mary McCabe, Pensioners for Indy Fatima Joji, Women for Indy Stephen Shilton, Christians for Indy Cameron McNeish, mountaineer and author The letter was also signed by the following regional campaign groups from Believe in Scotland: Aberdeen and Grampian, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Central Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee and Angus, Edinburgh and Lothians, Fife, Inverclyde, Highlands and Moray, Mid Scotland, Orkney Islands, Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire. It comes after Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said that it was "a bit rich" for Starmer to make such comments on Scotland's constitutional future. When asked by The National if it was a political tactic from Starmer to suggest that Swinney was not focused on independence, she said: "It's hardly a surprise that Keir Starmer is repeating what we've heard from Tory prime ministers for years, the day after we saw an increase in support for independence if Nigel Farage becomes prime minister. "It seems a bit rich to be telling the people of Scotland what they are saying when their greatest concern is that the change that was promised by Labour hasn't happened at all, opening the door to Nigel Farage."
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
No evidence child payment deters work, admits Government
However, a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Common Weal think tank revealed the Government has carried out no research to support this. READ MORE: The group requested data on the number of households receiving the Scottish Child Payment where no adult is in work or retired, and what proportion of the total this represents. Social Security Scotland responded to say it did not hold the information, 'because employment status is not a requirement for Scottish Child Payment'. Separate official documents, published in July by the Scottish Government, stated the payment was 'not currently negatively affecting labour market outcomes at any scale in the economy'. The Herald led a series on the impact of child poverty in Scotland (Image: Damian Shields) Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy at Common Weal, criticised the First Minister's comments. He said: 'It is simply irresponsible for politicians to make statements and policy which have the potential for devastating effects on vulnerable children if they do not have the evidence to support those claims. 'Worse still, they should not make these statements if they have not even attempted to gather the information needed to know whether the statement is correct or not. 'The First Minister has basically decided not to increase support for children in poverty and then made up an excuse which he has absolutely no reason to believe is true. 'The stark reality is that most people in poverty are in work. Starving their children will not increase their pay.' John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said there was plenty of evidence showing that increasing the payment would reduce child poverty. 'There is no evidence that we are aware of that increasing the Scottish Child Payment would act as a disincentive to enter the labour market or reduce labour market participation in any significant way,' he said. 'On the other hand, there is a mountain of evidence that boosting the payment would reduce child poverty further, improve children's health and wellbeing, and act as an investment in Scotland's economic future. "If Scotland is serious about ending child poverty it is vital that politicians of all parties base their decisions on the evidence.' READ MORE: The Scottish Child Payment, which is available to families on means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, is currently set at £27.15 per child per week. As part of The Herald's Scotland's Forgotten Children series, we joined forces with 23 children's charities calling for the Scottish Government to raise the payment to £40 per week. Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that this level of increase would lift an additional 20,000 children out of poverty. Modelling by the Fraser of Allander Institute separately found it could lead to a further 2.5 percentage point reduction in child poverty, putting the Scottish Government on track to meet its statutory targets. Ministers missed their legally binding interim target to reduce the number of children living in relative poverty — defined as below 50% of the UK median income — to 18% by 2023–24. The latest figure is 22%, down from 26% the previous year. Charities have welcomed the fall but warn that the Scottish Government is now at risk of missing its 2030 target of reducing relative child poverty to 10%. In last week's Programme for Government, the First Minister reiterated his commitment to eradicate child poverty. He said: "In the coming year, we will consult on, develop and publish a tackling child poverty delivery plan for 2026-31 - outlining the actions we will take with our partners for low-income families across Scotland to keep us on the journey to meet our poverty reduction targets for 2030." The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
The National
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Campaigner hits out at 'PR trick' nuclear energy poll of SNP members
Robin McAlpine, founder of pro-independence think tank Common Weal, has branded the polling a "PR trick based on deliberately withholding crucial information", claiming people who responded were not given "the basic facts". Polling for the campaign group Britain Remade, founded by a former energy adviser to Boris Johnson, found 52% of those who voted for the party in 2021 believe nuclear power should be included in Scotland's energy mix to meet the 2045 net zero target. Meanwhile, 57% of those who voted for the party in last year's general election felt the same way, the poll found. READ MORE: Nigel Farage says he 'doesn't want' NHS to be publicly funded A total of 56% of Scots thought nuclear power should be part of Scotland's clean energy mix to meet the targets, while 23% disagreed, and 21% said they did not know. Opinium surveyed 1000 Scottish adults between April 22 and 25. However, McAlpine argues those quizzed on the topic were not aware of key points as laid out in a blog post for pro-independence Common Weal Common Weal. He highlights the price of hydrogen electricity being cheaper than nuclear, as well as the hidden costs of building and decommissioning nuclear infrastructure. "Would SNP voters back nuclear if it was explained that it will cost them three times as much as renewables and then also cost nearly £5000 per household just to clean them up?" McAlpine told The National. READ MORE: Warning as 100,000 Scots face disruption and higher bills over meter switch off He further questioned: "Do people know that it is much cheaper to run a renewable system with battery storage for short-term load balancing and hydrogen storage for long term battery storage? Are they aware that you can't turn nuclear power on and off and that it has to run at full power all the time? So it can't balance renewables when the wind isn't blowing, it can only displace renewables from the grid. "The only conceivable purpose of nuclear in Britain is to power the south of England. Look at Fukushima, look at the power stations in Ukraine, how much risk do you want to take when you have absolutely no need to do it? "If people are told 'more expensive, much more dangerous, can't be switched up or down or turned off, costs an absolute fortune to decommission at the end', I think you'll find they answer differently." The SNP have argued nuclear power projects remain too expensive to be a viable alternative to renewable power. READ MORE: UK wants to build new nuclear plants in Scotland, Ed Miliband says Responding to the polling, SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: 'Our focus is delivering a just transition that supports communities and creates long-term economic opportunities to build a truly sustainable future. 'Nuclear remains one of the most costly forms of energy with projects like Hinkley Point C running billions over budget and years behind schedule. 'In contrast, Scotland's net zero transition is already delivering thousands of green jobs across energy, construction, innovation, and engineering. This number will continue to grow. 'Simply, renewables are cheaper to produce and develop, create more jobs, and are safer than nuclear as they don't leave behind radioactive waste that will be deadly for generations. 'While Labour funnels billions into slow, centralised projects, the SNP is focused on creating real, sustainable jobs in Scotland now.'
The National
24-04-2025
- Business
- The National
This is the model Scotland must adopt to improve all our lives
Good evening! This week's edition of the In Common newsletter comes from Professor Iain Black, Strathclyde Business School and Common Weal board member. To receive the newsletter direct to your inbox every week click here. AS I write this, the Scottish Government has announced it is pulling back on another action aimed at reaching climate targets – its target to reduce road traffic by 20% by 2030. Eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate crisis, improving public services – all have been promised, none have been planned for. The Scottish Government's action means many will remain tied to increasingly expensive and polluting cars which damage health and extract wealth and hand it to global corporations. Our SMEs and remaining large companies are struggling under Trump tariffs and households are about to get a higher energy bill because the price of electricity remains tied to the price of gas. What plans or priorities, politicians or parties are giving you hope? (Image: Andrew Milligan) To create hope, your plan or alternative must achieve three things: it must feel important, be 'goal-congruent' (it must do what you say it does) and it must feel possible. Do John Swinney's plans to grow the economy and produce tax revenue feel important or match your priorities when you are hungry and cold? Does it seem possible to reduce the number of children living in poverty when, after 20 years in which our GDP has doubled and tax revenue has increased, child poverty rates have remained broadly unchanged? So what might give us hope? Something based on rigorous research and observation over decades? Something tried, tested and successful in a previous time of great crises? An approach to government called 'National Mission Oriented Market Making' may be a mouthful but it fits that bill. (Image: Karol Serewis/Gallo) National mission-oriented market making is a strategic and interventionist approach to market creation and maintenance based on the work of Professor Mariana Mazzucato (above). Here, governments recognise their capacity to structure economic activity to address persistent, intensifying and multiplying environmental and social crises – and they do something about it. They adopt a crisis orientation and direct national assets from private, public and third sectors to develop markets and structures required to address agreed national missions. This involves managing collaborations for the design, supply, manufacturing, construction, maintenance, remanufacturing and recycling of products needed to address persistent crises. In Scotland, these missions could be based on their capacity to address three interlinked crises: the climate emergency, the fossil fuel cost of living crisis and the Scottish Government's relationship with business. They would link to needs we all share: warmth, safety, shelter, sustenance, mobility, meaningful work, sense of purpose, community and socialising. This could translate into three big missions. First, everyone must benefit from Scotland's energy. We would focus on becoming a nation of 'prosumers' where our buildings, based on a fabric-first approach, are warm and have low running costs. Excess energy is stored and used when needed. We would need a national insulation and retrofit company and national public energy agency to co-ordinate and deliver at scale. Second, there must be enough good food for everyone. The mission would be to provide nutritious, tasty, healthy and affordable food. Professor Tim Jackson in his recent book estimates that it would cost the UK less to make such food available for free than it costs the NHS to treat the outcomes of our ultra-high-processed diets. Third, access for all to active and low carbon travel. We would just need to go to cities like Lund in Sweden to see what this looks and feels like. Achieving this through safe, clean, reliable and cheap public transport and the ability to walk or wheel to our work and places of play could free us from the monthly cost of a car. We'd need a national transport agency controlling construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure. Delivery of the missions is by SMEs and investment is de-risked by guaranteeing long-term support for strategically important markets. National bodies, overseen by citizen assemblies, invest in and own infrastructure and ruthlessly focus on providing a supportive, consistent regulatory environment. This approach rejects the approach of the past 40 years where governments avoid intervening in markets where possible. Instead, the model followed is war-time prioritisation and mobilisation. It is the approach behind how the US was reorganised after Pearl Harbour so it was able to launch 2710 Liberty cargo ships in less than four years, from 18 yards at a top rate of two every three days. All achieved while bringing women into the workforce and improving industrial democracy. (Image: Newsquest) Professor Ailsa Henderson (above) reports this week that the majority of voters in England describe themselves as 'angry' or 'fearful' of politics. While not conducted in Scotland, I suspect the results are generalisable. She went on to say: 'English politics is marked by continued grievance, frustration and anger rather than hope.' Can we honestly say that more focus on growth and more dialling back on climate actions gives us hope? Can we expect more extractive growth funded by the Scottish National Investment Bank to give us hope? Or can we look to what has worked in the past and set ourselves national missions where everyone benefits from a decent warm home, good food and low-cost stress-free mobility? Important, goal congruent and possible.
