Over 100,000 kids may miss out on new poverty benefit, warn Greens

Mon 24 Feb, 2020

Scottish Green research can reveal that over 100,000 poor Scots families may not get access to money aimed at reducing child poverty.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission estimates a 74% take-up of the Scottish Child Payment in 2024/5.

This is lower than the Scottish Government’s estimate of 83% and also than the take-up of Child Benefit, which stands at 93%. Topping up Child Benefit is the Scottish Green Party’s preferred method of boosting the incomes of poorer families.

Cruel cap on benefits must end

Fri 7 Feb, 2020

Scottish Greens have today called for the UK Government to end a controversial cap on benefits, as figures showed over 3,364 Scots families are having their social security entitlements cut.

Regardless of the needs of individual families, the Benefit Cap places an overall ceiling on the amount a household can receive in support from the UK Government. UK-wide figures show that the average loss is £51 a week.

The cap is particularly likely to hit households with children, with 93% of cases involving children, and 72% being single-parent households.

NHS Lothian must receive its fair share of funding

Tue 4 Feb, 2020

The Scottish Government must ensure that NHS Lothian, Scotland’s second largest health board, covering the highest growing area of the country, receives its fair share of NHS funding, according to Scottish Greens Health Spokesperson Alison Johnstone MSP.

The Lothian MSP raised the matter in parliament this afternoon, noting that the board received £11.6 million less than it should have under the NRAC funding.[1]

Alison Johnstone MSP said:

Sheriffhall objections reach 2,500 with one week to go

Fri 24 Jan, 2020

Around 2,500 objections have been lodged to a proposed £120m development of Sheriffhall roundabout on the Edinburgh City bypass, with a week still to go on the Transport Scotland consultation.

Lothians Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone, who launched the campaign last week, said the objections must be considered by the Scottish Government when planning all future road expansion projects.

Greens back call for double lock on child payments

Thu 23 Jan, 2020

Scottish Greens today have backed calls from the new benefits system watchdog for the value of new child payments to be ‘double locked.’

The £10 payment for low-income families will launch this year, beginning with under 6s.

But concerns have been raised by the Scottish Commission for Social Security that the impact of the payment on poverty will be weakened unless the Scottish Government guarantees the payment will be annually uprated by the higher of rising prices or rising average incomes.

Greens celebrate first Young Carer Grants

Mon 20 Jan, 2020

Scottish Greens today welcomed the payment of around £67,000 in grants to young carers.

In the first five weeks of the new scheme, £66,900 was paid to 325 young carers.

Scottish Greens back COSLA wellbeing call

Wed 15 Jan, 2020

The Scottish Greens have welcomed a call from COSLA to protect funding for local services that promote wellbeing.

COSLA have warned a reduction in the local government settlement in this year’s budget would have an impact on the wellbeing of citizens.

Responding, Scottish Greens parliamentary co-leader Alison Johnstone said: “COSLA are absolutely right to make this link between council funding and wellbeing. The Scottish Greens have always argued for a greater focus on prevention, and that means making sure local services are adequately funded.