The SNP has slammed Westminster’s “cruel and inhumane” welfare
system, pointing to the Scottish Government’s Winter Heating
Payment as “one of many ways the SNP are supporting households
and mitigating the effects of Westminster’s incompetence” with
limited powers.
The payment of £55.05, introduced last year, replaces the
Department for Work and Pensions’ Cold Weather Payment. Unlike
the old payment, it is paid automatically, once a year, to those
eligible and is not triggered by the weather. In total it is
expected to be worth almost three times the amount paid out in
equivalent support from the UK government.
This payment is one example of how the Scottish Government is
supporting households. Others include:
- A welfare system based on dignity and respect in Social
Security Scotland, providing benefits like the Scottish Child
Payment, Best Start Grants and Best Start Food payments
- Council Tax Freeze
- Expansion of free childcare and the Baby Box
- Increased pay for social care workers
- Expanding eligibility for free school meals
- Rent freeze and eviction moratorium
- Free bus travel for under 22s and peak rail fares scrapped
Commenting, SNP MSP and Convenor of the Social Justice Committee
said:
“As we enter the winter months, the SNP Scottish Government
is working within its limited powers
to guarantee support for households the length and
breadth of Scotland.
“The combined effect of the Westminster-made cost of living
crisis, hard Brexit and disastrous mini-budget mean that Scottish
families are facing unimaginable cost pressures ahead of the
festive period; and the SNP Scottish Government is taking action
to put money back into the pockets of the most
vulnerable.
“The Winter Heating Payment will see £22 million paid out to over
400,000 households across December and January, providing
certainty to those who need it most, and is one of many ways the
SNP are supporting households and mitigating the effects of
Westminster’s incompetence
“From the Scottish Child Payment to the Council Tax freeze, the
SNP Scottish Government continues to mitigate the effects of
Westminster incompetence but is acting with one hand tied behind
its back.
“With the full powers of independence, we could build a country
built on equality, fairness and prosperity. Only then will we rid
ourselves of damaging Westminster governments
for good and escape the enormous costs that come with being part
of the UK.”
