Fairer Scotland

  • The impact of welfare reform on Scottish women

    28th August 2015 by

    Welfare Reform measures are undoubtedly having an adverse impact on women. The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) has consulted with women the length and breadth of the country over the last few years on the issue of welfare reform, from the initial Bill stage right up to the way in which changes to the administration and...

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  • Scottish Welfare Fund: Case studies

    27th August 2015 by

    Today as part of our themed week on social security we focus on the Scottish Welfare Fund. The Scottish Welfare Fund which has been formalised by the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Act 2015, was the first substantive welfare reform act to be passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Welfare Fund has been in operation since...

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  • Increased benefits equals cosier homes

    26th August 2015 by

    The Regulated Social Fund includes several types of payment. One of these is Cold Weather Payment, a payment for individuals on certain benefits when the temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. In Scotland we recognise that it is low incomes...

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  • Social Fund Funeral Payment- a personal perspective

    26th August 2015 by

    Anonymous Contributor (Male, Glasgow, 45-59, Scottish, Married, Children in Household, Housing Association Renter, Unable to work – long term illness, Disabled). The Regulated Social Fund includes several types of payment. One of these is Funeral Payment, for individuals on low income and needing help to pay for a funeral they are arranging. This post tells...

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  • From Social Security to Social Justice

    24th August 2015 by

    Peter Kelly (Director, The Poverty Alliance). What does social justice mean to you? It may be about living in a country where you know that thousands of people do not have to rely on food banks to make sure they have enough to eat. Or where people have access to paid employment that not only...

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  • The Need to Protect Shared Space

    19th August 2015 by

    Angus Hardie (Director, Scottish Community Alliance). To share: (Verb) 1. to participate in, to use, enjoy or experience jointly or in turns. Why Sharing? When something is shared, to my mind, something fundamentally important happens. Cooperation is required, people have to talk to one another, to consider the needs of others, to give as well...

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  • The 2015 Scottish Young Carers Festival

    15th August 2015 by

    Lorna Goodwin (Scottish Young Carers Festival Coordinator at Carers Trust Scotland). Take hundreds of young carers, dozens of politicians and decision-makers – add in some workshops, consultations (and a lot of fun) and throw it all in a muddy field in the Scottish Borders. The result is the Scottish Young Carers Festival (SYCF) which has...

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  • Rural challenges for carers

    15th August 2015 by

    Lesley McCranor (Executive Manager for Healthy Valleys Initiative). Through our work at Healthy Valleys, we hear a lot of chat about the benefits associated with living in rural areas – and there are plenty – lovely countryside and fresh air and of course a good community spirit. These are the kind of things that contribute...

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  • There is another way

    14th August 2015 by

    Fiona McKenzie (Chief Executive Officer, Centrestage Communities Ltd). For over eight years now I’ve been reminding people that Centrestage isn’t about a place – it’s about the people – and that’s still true. The bottom line is this. We believe that everyone – regardless of age, background or experience – can gain life changing social...

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  • A Fairer Country for citizens with learning disabilities

    13th August 2015 by

    Steve Robertson (Chairperson of the Board of Directors of People First [Scotland]). In post-election Scotland, another wee earthquake is required. Something strong enough, at least, to shake, shimmy and shift the long-held attitudes towards us – those citizens of our small nation living with learning difficulties. At People First (Scotland) we work to support people...

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