24 November 2014
Dear Messrs Cameron, Clegg & Miliband
Living up to the vow: the wholesale devolution of welfare
As your party representatives enter the final week of Smith Commission negotiations, we want to remind you about the vow you made to the people of Scotland to give Scotland significant new powers.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, on behalf of the third sector in Scotland, demands that if you want to live up to your promises you must commit to the wholesale devolution of welfare.
By devolving a full package of powers over welfare, Scotland would have the opportunity to create a welfare system that puts fairness and supporting people at its heart. We want to see a system in Scotland which acknowledges that anyone can find themselves in need and which enables people to help themselves, and one another, out of poverty and unemployment instead of punishing them.
Overall, the devolution of welfare in its entirety could help to harmonise social security so that we can take a coordinated approach to welfare in Scotland which understands the interrelated nature of many benefits.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have now given their backing to the transfer of powers over welfare to the Scottish Parliament. Having previously argued that full powers over welfare should remain at Westminster, they have been convinced by evidence on the issue put forward by the third sector to the Smith Commission. We urge the others to follow suit.
As you enter final negotiations, remember that anything short of wholesale devolution of welfare would completely fail to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our communities and would severely impede charities efforts to support them.
We are serious about addressing poverty and inequality once and for all and about protecting the most vulnerable people in Scottish society. If you share these ambitions and are true to your word, then powers over welfare must be fully devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
We will hold you to account on any failure to deliver on your pledge.
Regards,
Shulah Allen
Convener SCVO
Published on 25 November 2014
