Uncertain working patterns and zero hours contracts are the reality of tory Britain, until the Scottish Government has more control of welfare spending it is vital that initiatives such as Alison’s can be taken forwards to alleviate the pressure on parents in our communitiesRosemary McGowan
Working families in North Lanarkshire continue to be hit by the westminster austerity agenda, pushing more children into poverty. Recent changes in the Tax Credits system and the introduction of Universal Credit have seen many families with both parents in employment forced to use food banks, apply for crisis loans and additional payments in order to feed their families and heat their homes.
Scottish Green Party MSP Alison Johnson argues that instead of complex and unworkable welfare systems, financial aid should be delivered at the point where it can make the biggest impact on child poverty levels. Alison’s work on child benefit top ups for those in need, would see money coming into family purses at a regular and guaranteed interval, removing the need for families to put themselves into debt while waiting for re-assessments and rebates from a flawed benefits system.
North Lanarkshire Green Party Co-convenor Rosemary McGowan commented “We’ve seen first hand the impact of austerity on our communities, the widening gap between rich and poor, the impact of the benefits trap, which we were promised would become a thing of the past. Working families cannot be pushed any further, they are having to make choices not seen since the 1950’s, rising prices and a banking structure which feeds off the use of overdrafts leaves thousands in a position of inescapable debt. Uncertain working patterns and zero hours contracts are the reality of tory Britain, until the Scottish Government has more control of welfare spending it is vital that initiatives such as Alison’s can be taken forwards to alleviate the pressure on parents in our communities.”