Charities will be asked for input into how Smith recommendations are used
Charities will play a crucial role in developing Scotland’s new powers, social justice secretary Alex Neil has pledged.
The Scottish Government has started a series of discussions on the Smith Commission recommendations, looking at how they can be implemented.
New responsibilities coming to the Scottish Parliament cover various caring and disability benefits and flexibilities over discretionary housing payments, which are used to mitigate the bedroom tax.
An outline vision for the powers to be devolved will be produced by the end of the year – and Neil said the impact of charities and civil society will be crucial.
The Scottish Government, charities and groups need to rally together to oppose austerity measures and push for positive change
He said: “In the face of Westminster’s swingeing cuts, the Scottish Government, charities and groups need to rally together to oppose austerity measures and push for positive change.
“We are united in our opposition to the UK government’s proposed £12 billion benefit cuts and have called for clarity on how they could affect the benefits due to be devolved. I repeat that call today.
“Deeper cuts will present us with a real challenge, but today is about the positive future we want to create for everyone living in Scotland.
“By working together to develop ideas on how we might use our new social security powers, and by listening to the people who rely on these benefits to cope with everyday life, I am confident we can develop policies better suited to the needs of the people of Scotland.
“We will need the help of everyone to create a fairer and simpler social security system - one that does not stigmatise people who claim benefits and treats them with dignity and respect.
“These values sit at the heart of ourrecently launched Fairer Scotland discussion and our vision for a Scotland where people are healthier, happier and treated with respect, and where opportunities, wealth and power are spread more equally.
“Across the length and breadth of our country we are encouraging people to discuss fairness and equality issues – whether it’s social security, childcare, fair work or health. Today marks an important moment in our journey to improve the lives of everyone in Scotland.”
Julia Unwin, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which is taking part in the discussions, said: “The next phase of devolution presents an opportunity to introduce greater powers and incentives to invest in poverty-reducing approaches, with the savings from improved outcomes retained by the Scottish Government, and the costs of additional spending met from within the Scottish budget."
