Social Security

SNP MSPs challenged Labour and the Tories over the two-child benefit cap

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Tories and Labour challenged over two-child cap during independence benefits debate

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville with Minister for Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick and Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville with Minister for Migration and Refugees Emma Roddick and Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn

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Holyrood to debate Scotland's future social security system

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville views the Tartan Exhibition at the V&A Dundee

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville views the Tartan Exhibition at the V&A Dundee

Cost of living crisis

2

Scotland to see 'record investment' in social security despite UK cuts, says minister

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville spoke to journalists about a new independence white paper on Wednesday

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville spoke to journalists about a new independence white paper on Wednesday

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No benefits sanctions in an independent Scotland, ministers say

The Scottish Government has launched the ninth independence white paper

The Scottish Government has launched the ninth independence white paper

2

Independent Scotland would scrap two-child limit and bedroom tax, says new paper

The Social Justice Secretary will launch the publication later this week

The Social Justice Secretary will launch the publication later this week

Scottish independence

17

Scotland could transform social security with independence, says new paper

Humza Yousaf said Gordon Brown should 'think twice' about criticising Social Security Scotland, insisting his comments were 'unfair'

Humza Yousaf said Gordon Brown should 'think twice' about criticising Social Security Scotland, insisting his comments were 'unfair'

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'Highly partisan': FM slates Gordon Brown over social security comments

Gordon Brown claimed that money spent on delivering separate social security benefits to Scotland was a waste

Gordon Brown claimed that money spent on delivering separate social security benefits to Scotland was a waste

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Gordon Brown claims Scotland's social security agency a 'waste of money'

Labour leader Keir Starmer appearing on Classic FM

Labour leader Keir Starmer appearing on Classic FM

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'More blue than red': Scottish caller challenges Keir Starmer live on BBC

From left: SNP Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn, Labour leader Keir Starmer, and Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar

From left: SNP Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn, Labour leader Keir Starmer, and Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar

2

SNP challenge Keir Starmer amid Labour 'meltdown' over two-child limit U-turn

Labour leader Keir Starmer has refused to say he would scrap the two-child benefit cap

Labour leader Keir Starmer has refused to say he would scrap the two-child benefit cap

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

5

Wee Ginger Dug: Will Scotland's media treat Labour's divisions like SNP's?

Child poverty rates in Scotland are lower than elsewhere in the UK, according to recent data

Child poverty rates in Scotland are lower than elsewhere in the UK, according to recent data

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Size of Scottish poverty reforms 'not appreciated', IFS director says

In 2004, a basic funeral would set you back around £1835. In 2020, this figure had soared to £4184.

In 2004, a basic funeral would set you back around £1835. In 2020, this figure had soared to £4184.

Funeral Services

4

'How can they justify it?': Inside Scotland's cost-of-dying crisis

Generic picture of a baby

Generic picture of a baby

2

Expert hails Scotland's 'human rights' approach to social security

Ben Macpherson is the Scottish Government's social security minister

Ben Macpherson is the Scottish Government's social security minister

Scottish benefits agency reveals annual payments – and warns of 'difficult' times ahead

Benefits should rise in line with inflation, a Holyrood committee has said

Benefits should rise in line with inflation, a Holyrood committee has said

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Benefits should rise in line with inflation, Holyrood committee says

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy (left) and Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson (right)

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy (left) and Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson (right)

Scottish Labour

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Scottish Labour 'teamed up with Tories' on social security vote, say SNP

Prime Minister Liz Truss is plotting a real-terms cut to benefits, reports say

Prime Minister Liz Truss is plotting a real-terms cut to benefits, reports say

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Liz Truss plots to reduce benefits to help fund tax cuts for the rich

A whopping 1.4 million payments have been made through the benefit in the 18 months it has been available

A whopping 1.4 million payments have been made through the benefit in the 18 months it has been available

'Lifesaver' Scottish child benefit pays out £84m to struggling families

Pensions have certainly not kept in line with inflation

Pensions have certainly not kept in line with inflation

Rising costs of living far outstrip meagre increases to the state pension

We pay two sets of civil servants to manage the benefits system. One team tries to stop people getting benefits and the other works to maximise access

We pay two sets of civil servants to manage the benefits system. One team tries to stop people getting benefits and the other works to maximise access

Claimants must play the benefit system game without knowing the rules

Scottish social security to support over a million people

Scottish social security to support over a million people

Scottish social security to support over a million people

Social security minister Ben Macpherson says the new benefit is 'already making a difference'. Photograph: Colin Mearns

Social security minister Ben Macpherson says the new benefit is 'already making a difference'. Photograph: Colin Mearns

Cost of living crisis

New Scots child benefit 'already making a difference' as £3m paid out

Thousands of households currently can’t afford anything other than everyday items

Thousands of households currently can’t afford anything other than everyday items

1

Not just the rich, but also the ‘comfortable’ should be contributing more

Treating people with dignity, fairness and respect will be at the heart of delivering Scotland’s new Adult Disability Payment

Treating people with dignity, fairness and respect will be at the heart of delivering Scotland’s new Adult Disability Payment

3

Ben Macpherson: How SNP Scottish Government will do things differently from DWP

Keir Starmer's Labour Party largely abstained from the welfare cap vote

Keir Starmer's Labour Party largely abstained from the welfare cap vote

Alison Thewliss

11

Labour 'let down UK's working class' after abstaining from 'scandalous' welfare cap vote

Neighbourly has team up with Aldi to donate surplus food from stores throughout the year

Neighbourly has team up with Aldi to donate surplus food from stores throughout the year

Social Security

2

Food banks set for most difficult Christmas yet, research shows

Ignore stigma and claim the benefits you're entitled to, Scottish Government urges

Ignore stigma and claim the benefits you're entitled to, Scottish Government urges

Social Security

Ignore stigma and claim the benefits you're entitled to, Scottish Government urges

The Scottish Child Payment will be doubled in the upcoming Budget

The Scottish Child Payment will be doubled in the upcoming Budget

Nicola Sturgeon

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Scottish Child Payment to be doubled, Nicola Sturgeon announces

PICTURED: DWP stock image

PICTURED: DWP stock image

Pension payment delays are an outrage

Social Security Secretary Shona Robison

Social Security Secretary Shona Robison

Scottish Government aims to end stigma and increase benefits uptake

SNP MSP Marie McNair praised the passage of the bill

SNP MSP Marie McNair praised the passage of the bill

1

Unpaid Scottish carers to have support grants doubled after MSPs' vote

Some claimants will simply slip through the net or just be excluded

Some claimants will simply slip through the net or just be excluded

New UK Government grant scheme amidst crucial benefit cuts is a false economy

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

2

Tories have effectively brought in a two-tier system of benefits

More than one in five Scots said they had been unable to pay housing bills after running out of money

More than one in five Scots said they had been unable to pay housing bills after running out of money

Conservative Party

1

'Perfect storm' to hit Scotland's poorest amid UK Government cuts, advisers say

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson

How Social Security Scotland is changing lives with devolved powers

Cosla resources spokeswoman Gail Macgregor

Cosla resources spokeswoman Gail Macgregor

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Scottish child payment not a solution but a ‘sticking plaster’, MSPs told

The Work and Pensions Secretary suggested those on Universal Credit could make up for losing £20 per week by working two more hours

The Work and Pensions Secretary suggested those on Universal Credit could make up for losing £20 per week by working two more hours

Furlough scheme

1

Therese Coffey’s solution for struggling families does not add up

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told Universal Credit claimants to work longer hours to make up for UK Government cuts – but exposed her ignorance of her own government's social security rules

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told Universal Credit claimants to work longer hours to make up for UK Government cuts – but exposed her ignorance of her own government's social security rules

Conservative Party

7

'Out of touch' Tory minister makes outrageous claim about Universal Credit cuts

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has compliantly performed a volte-face

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has compliantly performed a volte-face

3

Ditching the triple lock will leave many UK pensioners in poverty

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Indigo school-aged childcare at Castleton Primary School

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Indigo school-aged childcare at Castleton Primary School

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Nicola Sturgeon pledges to double child benefit ‘sooner rather than later’

Austerity over several decades has shifted the formal ethos of official social care provision

Austerity over several decades has shifted the formal ethos of official social care provision

Social Security

3

Here’s a social care funding model that’s both simple and fair

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison

Almost 110k children helped so far by Scottish Child Payment

Almost half of respondents to a new Citizens Advice Bureau survey said they had to borrow or take an advance to get through the five-week wait

Almost half of respondents to a new Citizens Advice Bureau survey said they had to borrow or take an advance to get through the five-week wait

Citizens' Advice

Tories urged to scrap five-week wait for Universal Credit amid rising debts

The Child Disability Payment will replace the Disability Living Allowance for children with disabilities in Scotland

The Child Disability Payment will replace the Disability Living Allowance for children with disabilities in Scotland

Conservative Party

SNP should use welfare powers to 'repair damage' by Tory reforms, Greens say

Kirsten Oswald has slammed Boris Johnson

Kirsten Oswald has slammed Boris Johnson

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Nasty Party is back: Kirsten Oswald hits Boris Johnson over Tory track record

Politicians from Holyrood, Stormont, the Senedd and Westminster have penned a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak

Politicians from Holyrood, Stormont, the Senedd and Westminster have penned a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak

Conservative Party

1

Politicians from all four UK nations unite to demand Tory U-turn on benefits cut

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was interviewed about the government's decision not to continue the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was interviewed about the government's decision not to continue the £20-per-week uplift to Universal Credit

Social Security

Rishi Sunak clearly has no idea how it actually feels to be poor

The 'great British success story' founded on the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was actually substantially dependent on supplies from India

The 'great British success story' founded on the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was actually substantially dependent on supplies from India

Social Security

Let's hope what 'coming home' for corrupt Tories are chickens to roost

Rosindell told the BBC that people on Universal Credit 'probably don’t need' an extra £20 a week to live on

Rosindell told the BBC that people on Universal Credit 'probably don’t need' an extra £20 a week to live on

Social Security

Tories sent far-right MP Andrew Rosindell to defend Universal Credit cut

Iain Duncan Smith is among the Tories calling on Rishi Sunak to make the temporary uplift permanent

Iain Duncan Smith is among the Tories calling on Rishi Sunak to make the temporary uplift permanent

Social Security

Many benefit claimants have been frozen out of the £20/week uplift

The cross-party committee, chaired by the SNP’s Pete Wishart, says the devolution of welfare powers is 'working well' on the whole

The cross-party committee, chaired by the SNP’s Pete Wishart, says the devolution of welfare powers is 'working well' on the whole

Scottish devolution

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Scottish MPs criticise Holyrood for delaying full devolution of benefit powers

Welfare reforms and the rising cost of basic provisions have led to record levels of food bank use

Welfare reforms and the rising cost of basic provisions have led to record levels of food bank use

National Community

Brexit is not to blame for the high levels of food insecurity in Scotland

The DWP is set to go after as much as £2.4bn said to have been laid out in overpayments

The DWP is set to go after as much as £2.4bn said to have been laid out in overpayments

Conservative Party

DWP urged to write off £2.4 billion debts of tax credit claimants

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