Introduction SCVO welcomes the Committee’s call for views on its future work programme and how the Committee,The Welfare Reform Committee has hosted a number of very successful and powerful roundtable sessions,response to the Smith Commission and SCVO's work priorities: Social Security & Employability Social,This demonstrates the Committee’s interest in, and ability to examine, the effects of social security,In particular the Committee could consider: The impact of welfare reform on third sector organisations

New powers over social security and employment programmes are on the table alongside an energised population,post-referendum, and a confident and respected parliament and government.,This is a feature of the evidence submitted to the Welfare Reform Committee’s inquiry into the future,of social security delivery.,[iv] A Widening Gap: Women and Welfare Reform, Engender (2015).

The Public Bodies Act, the Welfare Funds (Scotland) act and so on.,SCVO has recently called for key human rights principles to underpin all legislation and work driving,Let’s be proactive and ensure key rights to social security and an adequate income drive how future welfare,Lastly, the planned cuts to social security announced in the UK budget must lead to action from all key,In this context, it is important to point out that the impact of austerity and welfare cuts on women

Reform Committee.,Moreover, current and future reforms e.g. continued transfer to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are,Impact of Welfare Reform and Work Bill We would like to raise concerns with the Committee about the potential,SCVO’s “Positive Principles” paper and the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform.,Key Messages/Conclusion Throughout our work with the sector in examining the future of social security

Introduction As Scotland prepares for the devolution of social security and employment powers, the third,on the link across devolved budget areas as well as with reserved social security.,Indeed, as highlighted by Inclusion Scotland during evidence given to the Welfare Reform Committee, isolation,The key here is to value all forms of contribution, not just jobs, and to tailor support to each citizen,how we implement the new employment support (and social security) powers.

The Fund might be regarded as a foundation stone of a Scottish Social Security system; as such it must,, if the planned £12 billion of cuts included the Welfare Reform and Work Bill go ahead.,Creating more local networks to bring together expertise on welfare reform.,Conclusion This Fund is a foundation stone for a Scottish social security system.,security and not "welfare".

There is an increasingly strong evidence base demonstrating the disproportionate impact of welfare reform,the Welfare Reform Committee to: “… consider these wider, contextual issues….to take into account the,by welfare reform, along with a strong desire to see a more stable and supportive social security safety,As the Welfare Reform Committee takes forward this inquiry, we urge its members to connect its work to,[iv] SCVO response – Health and Sport Committee call for evidence, Carers (Scotland) Bill.

Responding to Stage 1 report We welcome the depth and detail in the Welfare Reform Committee’s consideration,Sadly, the debate about social security remains deeply negative and political leadership is necessary,povertyalliance.org/userfiles/files/SWF%20consultation_PA_Resp_Sept14.pdf [ii] http://www.scvo.scot/long-form-posts,sites/default/files/CPAG-scotland-swf-call-for-evidence-response-Aug-14.pdf [iv] http://www.legislation.gov.uk,www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/84508.aspx#r [x] http://www.scvo.scot/long-form-posts

The human costs of welfare reform The sector has been at the forefront of dealing with the fall out of,reform on the sector.,security safety net, have been partly behind a strong call to see further powers over benefits transferred,Further Devolution Many third sector organisations have a called for full or partial devolution of welfare,SCVO has called for the full devolution of welfare – excluding pensions.

Then the Government started a programme of austerity measures and welfare reforms.,In contrast, what we call ‘properly valued’ work is work which is secure, satisfying, paid at a sufficient,Some Empirical Evidence, Easerlin (1974).,[xxxvi] See, for example, Scotland’s Economic Future Post-2014 Submission to the Scottish Government,[xlvii] Evidence submitted to the Scottish Parliament's Expert Working Group on Welfare, Miller, (2013