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Scottish government provides £5.4 million funding for benefits advice
The Scottish Government has unveiled a package of funding for advice agencies helping people facing the brunt of UK benefit cuts, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced today.
In response to a substantial increase in requests for help as a result of Westminster welfare reforms, a new package of funding will support those providing front-line advice and support to people across Scotland. This includes an immediate cash injection of £300,000 for services such as those provided by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), the set up of a new £1.7 million fund providing direct support to advice services, and a further £3.4 million to be spent over the next two years on helping organisations mitigate the impacts welfare reforms.
Ms Sturgeon said, “Many people across Scotland are suffering as a direct result of UK Government benefit cuts, and many more are concerned about how they may be affected by changes yet to come into force. Citizen’s Advice Bureaux across the country are currently dealing with nearly 800 new issues for every working day. And the latest extremely worrying analysis about the families affected by benefits illustrates exactly that point.
“This reflects our serious concerns about the pace, scale and impact of Westminster’s benefits changes. It is clear that the impact of the cuts will extend across Scottish society, with vulnerable groups, women and working families all likely to suffer. This is putting more and more pressure on the organisations that provide crucial front line advice to those affected. These are the people, who, on a daily basis see how lives are being damaged by the fall out from the UK government’s welfare reform changes.
“That is why we have listened and are providing £5.4 million to help meet the demand for advice and support as it dramatically increases. This is just further evidence of the need for independence. We want a welfare system in Scotland that provides fair and decent support for all and protects the vulnerable in our society. The only way to guarantee that is to have possession of the powers to deliver it.”
For the press release about this news, see Benefits advice groups share £5.4 million
We are only 99 miles south of the Scottish border. I wonder if we seek independence from England we can see about getting our hands on some of that luvverly funding.
I will watch Braveheart tonight and get back to y’all.
Freedom!!
The Scottish Government has unveiled a package of funding for advice agencies helping people facing the brunt of UK benefit cuts, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced today.
In response to a substantial increase in requests for help as a result of Westminster welfare reforms, a new package of funding will support those providing front-line advice and support to people across Scotland. This includes an immediate cash injection of £300,000 for services such as those provided by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), the set up of a new £1.7 million fund providing direct support to advice services, and a further £3.4 million to be spent over the next two years on helping organisations mitigate the impacts welfare reforms.
Ms Sturgeon said, “Many people across Scotland are suffering as a direct result of UK Government benefit cuts, and many more are concerned about how they may be affected by changes yet to come into force. Citizen’s Advice Bureaux across the country are currently dealing with nearly 800 new issues for every working day. And the latest extremely worrying analysis about the families affected by benefits illustrates exactly that point.
“This reflects our serious concerns about the pace, scale and impact of Westminster’s benefits changes. It is clear that the impact of the cuts will extend across Scottish society, with vulnerable groups, women and working families all likely to suffer. This is putting more and more pressure on the organisations that provide crucial front line advice to those affected. These are the people, who, on a daily basis see how lives are being damaged by the fall out from the UK government’s welfare reform changes.
“That is why we have listened and are providing £5.4 million to help meet the demand for advice and support as it dramatically increases. This is just further evidence of the need for independence. We want a welfare system in Scotland that provides fair and decent support for all and protects the vulnerable in our society. The only way to guarantee that is to have possession of the powers to deliver it.”
For the press release about this news, see Benefits advice groups share £5.4 million
And who is really paying for this? Us….. :/
Scottish government is also give £2.5m to housing associations for advice and assistance to those affected by ‘bedroom tax’ -