Piecemeal package of powers doesn't go far enough to fully tackle poverty & inequality

SCVO media comment 27 November 2014 Smith’s personal recommendation to devolve more power to people and communities very encouraging  Following the publication of the Smith Commission recommendations today, John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, SCVO said: “We’ve said all along that anything less than wholesale devolution of welfare would be a real missed opportunity to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in our communities, so we are disappointed to see that today’s offerings fall far short of this. Lack of control over Universal Credit will continue to impede our efforts to help the poorest people in our communities. “What we’re seeing today is piecemeal devolution of powers which will not make way for the integrated and more efficient approach to welfare which is vital to delivering the fundamental change and greater social justice that so many people in Scotland want. “The proposed powers do however offer significant possibilities to improve support for unemployed people and are a welcome step towards taking a new and improved approach to helping people find work but, without the associated benefits, the overall impact will be limited. “We will also have ability to design and deliver a different approach to benefits for carers, and disabled and ill people. The onus now is on the Scottish Government to involve these groups of people in shaping how the powers are used and to ensure that all the new powers devolved to Scotland make a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland. “We call on the Scottish Government to start by scrapping the Work Programme without delay and instead investing in schemes that actually create jobs, such as Community Jobs Scotland which has delivered thousands of jobs for young unemployed people in charities.” ENDS Notes to editors:

1. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body representing the interests of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.  The Scottish third sector turns over £4.9 billion a year and employs 138,000 people in over 45,000 organisations. For more on SCVO see www.scvo.scot
2. To arrange further comment, please call Charlotte McNeill, Press Officer, SCVO on 0779 060 1995