Parties challenged on welfare reform

Date: 8th April 2010
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

by the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform

Meeting on 30th March 2010 in Edinburgh before an audience of voluntary sector officials, politicians and members of the public, the SCoWR coalition unveiled its election 'manifesto,' which outlines 5 key demands. These are:

1. 1. Increase benefit rates to a level where no one is left in poverty and all have sufficient to lead a dignified life;
2. 2. Make respect for human rights and dignity the cornerstone of a new approach to welfare;
3. 3. Radically simplify the welfare system;
4. 4. Invest in the support needed to enable everyone to participate fully in society; and
5. 5. Make welfare benefits in Scotland, suitable for Scotland.

At the launch, the leaders of the campaign made clear that they were not opposed to reform of the welfare system in principle, but that the present set of reforms - such as the introduction of the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and the proposed abolition of the Attendance Allowance, were damaging the very people who the welfare system is meant to protect.
Find out the manifesto and more information here.