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The Herald Scotland

The priority must be to end poverty, not worsen it

Among the experiences in the report are those of Isla, from the Scottish Borders. A carer for her son, Isla said: 'I am barely holding on financially. I always feel just one step away from rock bottom.' That is the everyday reality for so many people in our communities. And that is why the UK Government's recent decision to announce £5.5 billion of social security cuts was so shameful. In making that choice, UK ministers are choosing an approach that their own impact assessments show will pull 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into the grip of poverty. It is important to be clear about what that means. More people being pushed into making decisions between heating their home or paying their rent. More people forced into using foodbanks. More children growing up with their lives constrained by poverty. Keir Starmer described the UK's social security system as 'fundamentally broken'. And he is right, but not for the reasons he thinks. It is broken because it pulls people into, rather than protects them from, poverty. It is broken because it robs people of their dignity and respect. And it is broken because it violates people's human rights on a daily basis. Isla told us: 'I didn't choose to be a carer and struggle on social security, but when my son was born, I didn't have a choice.' But UK ministers do have a choice. They can choose to take the urgent decisions needed to protect people from harm; reversing the proposed cuts, ending the sanctions regime, and abolishing the disgraceful two-child limit. And they can choose to overhaul the system by establishing a Social Security Commission with the power to build the UK social security system we need; one rooted in dignity, respect and human rights. And the Scottish Government must also listen to voices like Isla's. While it has taken a different and welcome approach to its own social security powers, over one million people in Scotland are living in poverty, and Scotland's interim child poverty targets were recently missed. Scottish ministers could choose to increase the Scottish Child Payment, and to drive forward with plans for a new Human Rights Bill that would enshrine all of our economic and social rights in law. In a country like ours, all levels of government must prioritise ending poverty, not worsening it. That is the choice that must be made. Neil Cowan is Scotland Director, Amnesty International UK Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@