Latest news with #ShirleyAnneSomerville
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We are proud': Cabinet Secretary hails Glasgow hub for tackling child poverty
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice has visited a Glasgow hub to see its progress on child poverty. Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP visited the Wise Group's Glasgow hub to meet mentors, customers and partners delivering the Scottish Government-backed Relational Mentoring Scotland (RMS) service. This visit follows her £2.2 million investment in the Whole Family Relational Mentoring service designed to help eradicate child poverty. The scheme provides intensive, personalised support to families facing multiple challenges including housing, mental health and unemployment. It aims to integrate with public services to deliver better, joined-up outcomes. During her visit, Somerville awarded the Relational Mentoring Changemaker Award, acknowledging dedication to helping families achieve sustainable change. She said: 'It was good to meet mentors and those supported through the programme, which is providing life-changing support in areas such as employability and skills, improving household finances, and mental health and wellbeing. 'Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government's top priority and we are committed to doing all we can to support families with the cost of living including offering free school meals to more than 270,000 pupils, free bus travel for 2.3 million people and early learning and childcare worth more than £6000 per eligible child every year – demonstrating our determination to invest in our communities when they need it most.' Read more: New programme launched to help people in Glasgow get back into work Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Wise Group mentors (Image: Supplied) Read more: 'Wonderful' housing and care campus praised as Cabinet Secretary visits site The Wise Group's data shows that 98% of people supported have needs across at least three areas. Progress in one area, like housing, often leads to improvements in others, such as health or employability. The Whole Family model is now informing wider conversations around public service reform and child poverty prevention. Sean Duffy, chief executive of the Wise Group, said: 'The Cabinet Secretary's investment in this service is making a real and measurable difference. 'Our mentors walk alongside families – not just signposting, but staying the course. 'The integration we've seen with local authorities, health and employment services is key to the outcomes we're achieving. 'Today's visit affirms what we know to be true: that ending poverty means transforming how support is delivered, not just what is delivered. 'We are proud to be part of that mission.'
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Scottish government minister says UK welfare reforms should be abandoned
The UK Government must abandon its 'unfair' welfare reforms in the wake of its late climbdown on a key plank of the proposals, Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has said. Shirley-Anne Somerville was commenting after the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its first legislative hurdle at Westminster. Ahead of the crunch vote, Sir Keir Starmer ditched a mainstay of his welfare reform agenda as he battled to get the draft laws through the House of Commons. In a major concession as MPs prepared to vote, the Prime Minister shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), with any changes now only coming after a review of the benefit. Under Scotland's devolved social security system, Pip is currently being replaced by the Adult Disability Payment. Reacting to events at Westminster, Ms Somerville reiterated the Scottish Government's pledge not to cut that benefit. 'Despite the panicked, last-minute concessions they have made, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support they will plunge more people into poverty,' said the SNP MSP. 'That is unconscionable. 'Their approach also risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits. 'The UK Government needs to stop balancing the books on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society. 'They need to properly listen to the overwhelming criticism their proposals have generated and do the right thing by disabled people by abandoning this bill entirely. 'I want to reassure disabled people in Scotland, that the Scottish Government will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment, we will not let disabled people down as the UK Government has done.' The decision to remove the Pip changes from the Bill was announced just 90 minutes before MPs voted. The legislation passed by 335 votes to 260, majority 75. Despite the late concession, there were 49 Labour rebels, the largest revolt so far of Sir Keir's premiership.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scottish government minister says UK welfare reforms should be abandoned
The UK Government must abandon its 'unfair' welfare reforms in the wake of its late climbdown on a key plank of the proposals, Scotland's Social Justice Secretary has said. Shirley-Anne Somerville was commenting after the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its first legislative hurdle at Westminster. Ahead of the crunch vote, Sir Keir Starmer ditched a mainstay of his welfare reform agenda as he battled to get the draft laws through the House of Commons. In a major concession as MPs prepared to vote, the Prime Minister shelved plans to restrict eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), with any changes now only coming after a review of the benefit. Under Scotland's devolved social security system, Pip is currently being replaced by the Adult Disability Payment. Reacting to events at Westminster, Ms Somerville reiterated the Scottish Government's pledge not to cut that benefit. 'Despite the panicked, last-minute concessions they have made, if the UK Government presses ahead with cuts to disability support they will plunge more people into poverty,' said the SNP MSP. 'That is unconscionable. 'Their approach also risks creating a deeply unfair two-tier system, pushing the impact of cuts onto future applicants for disability benefits. 'The UK Government needs to stop balancing the books on the backs of some of the most vulnerable people in society. 'They need to properly listen to the overwhelming criticism their proposals have generated and do the right thing by disabled people by abandoning this bill entirely. 'I want to reassure disabled people in Scotland, that the Scottish Government will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment, we will not let disabled people down as the UK Government has done.' The decision to remove the Pip changes from the Bill was announced just 90 minutes before MPs voted. The legislation passed by 335 votes to 260, majority 75. Despite the late concession, there were 49 Labour rebels, the largest revolt so far of Sir Keir's premiership.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The mask slips… it only took a day! SNP minister admits: I'm 'happy' for welfare bill to skyrocket
A senior SNP minister has said she is 'happy' for Scotland's benefits bill to continue to skyrocket. Shirley-Anne Somerville was accused of being 'detached' from the priorities of ordinary Scots after she rejected concerns about the soaring cost of welfare payments. It came just a day after her government unveiled a £2.6billion cuts drive which will consider changes to the current 'light-touch' approach to adult disability payment appeals in order to bring down costs. Experts say spending cuts or tax rises will be needed to pay for the rising cost of devolved benefits, which is forecast to soar to more than £9billion a year. Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Alexander Stewart said: 'This sums up how detached SNP ministers are from Scots priorities. Hard-pressed taxpayers are desperate for them to tackle Scotland's benefits bill. However, this answer makes it clear the Nationalists are content to squander their money rather than accepting their failure to get a grip on the costs of their benefits system. 'If they don't get a grip of this situation, it will mean further cuts to essential services or yet more tax rises for hard-pressed Scots, who are already sick of paying more and getting less.' The Social Security Secretary's comments came during an appearance on the BBC's Question Time programme from St Andrews, after she condemned Labour's welfare reforms. Asked if she was happy to see the welfare bill increase, she said that there needs to be a 'robust' social security system which supports people when they need it. She said: 'I will not support cuts if it takes away from the vulnerable.' Pressed on whether she was happy that the bill will increase, she said: 'I am happy that we have a government that has the backs of disabled people, unlike Labour, and we will not walk away from them up here in Scotland.' Presenter Fiona Bruce said: 'Just to be clear, as the welfare bill is increased in Scotland you are happy with that?' Ms Somerville replied: 'We know that we have responsibilities as a government to meet that budget, so I'm happy with the fact that we are supporting people, yes.' During the programme, filmed as details about the UK Government's partial U-turn on welfare reform began to emerge, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar highlighted that the SNP was reviewing its approach to adult disability payment assessments, and 'recognise that the sustainability of it is in question'. The Fraser of Allander Institute has previously said the number of people receiving devolved disability benefits is forecast to rise to over 1.13million by 2029/30. While it said the caseload for disability benefits is growing across the UK, 'it is rising more rapidly in Scotland', where a 'light-touch review process' has been introduced, 'where claimants can confirm their condition remains the same without needing to provide extensive new evidence'. The Scottish Government's fiscal sustainability delivery planb acknowledged that there has been 'a lower rate of adult disability benefit awards being ended or decreased at review than previously forecast'. Ms Somerville also admitted that Scotland's NHS has 'challenges' when confronted with concerns about cancer care delays. Mr Sarwar said: 'Put bluntly, I don't believe the NHS will survive a third decade of John Swinney and the SNP.'
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Scotland refuses to match Labour's ‘damaging' welfare cuts
The Scottish government announced it will not mirror the planned changes to welfare disability benefits proposed by Labour. The cost-cutting measures are largely focused on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), designed to help with extra costs incurred by living with an illness or disability. The equivalent in Scotland is the Adult Disability Payment (ADP), and the administration of which is devolved to the Scottish government. Holyrood's social justice secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, confirmed the decision in an official announcement, criticising the UK government for the plans. Ms Somerville said: 'The UK government's proposed reforms will be hugely damaging to those who rely on social security support, particularly during the ongoing cost of living crisis. These plans have yet to be passed at Westminster, so there is still time for the UK government to step back from this damaging policy and I strongly urge them to scrap their harmful proposals. 'The reforms do not reflect the Scottish government's values. We will not let disabled people down or cast them aside as the UK government has done. We will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment. 'The UK government should follow our lead and protect the social security safety system, rather than dismantling it. If they do not, then disabled people can draw no other conclusion than the UK government remain content to balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable.' Ms Somerville highlighted findings by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that the changes are set to push 250,000 more people into poverty, including 50,000 children. The MSP for Dunfermline claimed this threatens to undermine work to reduce child poverty, pointing also to Labour's refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall presented the welfare bill on Wednesday, which MPs are set to vote on next month - but are currently divided. Ms Kendall defended the reforms - aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work - saying they were necessary as the 'social security system is at a crossroads'. She said: 'Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it. "This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity.' While Scotland is able to decide how to administer the ADP, the measures in the bill regarding Universal Credit are still liable to impact Scottish nationals, as this benefit is managed centrally. From April 2026, the payment rate for the health element of Universal Credit will be frozen. Those already receiving it will remain on £423.27 a month until 2029/30. However, new applicants after this month will receive a severely cut rate of £217.26 – almost half. The controversial proposals have drawn widespread criticism from charities and campaign groups. More than 100 Labour MPs are reportedly considering voting against the government on the plans as the government faces a significant rebellion.
