Politics: A helping hand comes in many forms
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The First Minister has revealed plans to double the Scottish Child Payment just as the UK Government intends to continue with plans to axe the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.
This will severely impact the lives of many people, already in work, but struggling to get by for whom the additional £20 has been a real lifeline. This coupled with UK Government plans to increase national insurance across the UK to pay for social care means as more families struggle to get by, even further pressure will be put on their already limited income.
The lifeline boost to universal credit was introduced at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cut by the Tory-led UK Goverment would cut annual income by more than £1000 and would impact six million families across the country. There have been stark warnings this could lead to further poverty,homelessness and increased use of food banks.
It’s estimated this move will also affect 60,000 families across Scotland, including many children.
It is shocking at a time when families need this additional support that the UK Government will chose to make day-to-day life and the stark choices some families face even harder.
We also know there are issues already with the five-week wait for universal credit payment which can push people in to homelessness.
It is vital that the UK Government reconsiders it’s decision.
After a review into the care system in Scotland and the lives of care-experienced children, the Scottish Government has been working hard to ensure there is more support for care-experienced people.
Earlier this month, a £500million investment was announced in helping families stay together and overcome challenges in a bid to keep families together where possible.
This is a really important step, particularly as we know how important early intervention can be in supporting people.
The overall aim is to help reduce the number of children in the care system by 2030.
The funding will provide support for child and adolescent mental health, alcohol and drugs misuse, educational attainment and child poverty.
It is a very welcome step by the Scottish Government and continues the work of The Promise which looks to support care-experienced young people.
Finally, I am delighted to be taking part in the Great British Beach Clean which will be running all next week.
The event runs annually and is something I am passionate about because it’s important we all ensure we keep our beaches clean and protect marine life.
We are so fortunate to live in the north-east and have the most beautiful beaches – of course I am biased!
Two years ago, I launched the Take 5 campaign which aims to encourage people when out and about to take at least five pieces of litter and bag it and take it home or to the nearest bin.
It is brilliant we have these annual events to encourage people and if we can be even more conscious of keeping our beaches and streets clean we can all do our bit to support the environment.
For all of us, the pandemic has meant a lot more time outdoors and it’s benefited our health both physically and mentally, so this is a good way to say thank you to the great outdoors.
