Devolving parts of social security to Holyrood was a chance to build a new system from scratch. The UK Government’s DWP is renowned for its harsh approach to benefits, based on tightening eligibility and spending less money.
The bedroom tax and the outrageous rape clause were appalling examples of the Tory philosophy in action. The benefits freeze and bringing in private sector providers to carry out heartless checks were also impossible to defend.
The Scottish system has largely been a success, with the Scottish Child Payment in particular putting money into the pockets of the needy. The punitive rhetoric of Tory ministers has also been banished and replaced by a person-centred approach.
But Social Security Scotland still has a way to travel to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality. Our story today that a sizeable number of benefit claimants are waiting over half an hour to get through to the new agency is unacceptable.
Most people get through within 30 minutes but too many do not. Making a claim is stressful and that anxiety will be compounded by long waits on the phone.
Social Security Scotland should carry out a review to drive down the number of people who experience long waits. Benefits should be delivered in a timely and humane manner, starting with the initial call to the hotline.
Words are easy. Delivering a better system is the harder part.
Let’s be clearer on youth cash
YouthLink Scotland is quite right to call for clarity over where government cash for youth work is going. The demand for better facilties and services is central to the Record’s Our Kids ... Our Future campaign.
At any time – but especially during a cost of living crisis – every penny is a prisoner. Competition for Scottish Government funds is fierce, but failing to invest in our young people properly will stoke up societal problems for years.
To make sure taxpayers’ money is best spent, there needs to be more clarity over where the cash is going. Then people like YouthLink’s Tim Frew can fight for vital funding to improve and retain what’s on offer for young people.
More transparency is an important step in making sure the right services are being protected. It’s time for the Scottish Government to step up and tell stakeholders exactly how our money is spent.
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