Scotland’s Faith Leaders Call for Social Security Reforms to Ease the Pressure of Poverty

As Challenge Poverty Week draws to a close, Scotland’s faith leaders have issued a joint statement calling on the UK and Scottish Governments to make changes to the social security system to stem the rising tide of poverty.

In the statement, issued today, senior representatives from Scotland’s major faith groups urged both Westminster and Holyrood to take action “that would reflect the care, compassion and support shown by people across the country into changes that would make a real difference to families and individuals living in the grip of poverty.”

They call for specific reforms to the social security system to “boost the incomes of those most in need”.

The signatories include The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Chief Imam of Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Galloway, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Sensei at Cloud Water Zen Centre (Buddhist community), Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland, Moderator-Elect of the National Synod of Scotland of the United Reformed Church and the representative of Sikhs in Scotland on the Scottish Religious Leaders Forum.

The leaders urge the UK Government to end the Benefit Cap and the two-child limit and retain the temporary increase in the Universal Credit basic allowance. This comes as last month 50 children’s charities, food bank providers, housing organisations, benefit and debt advisors, disability groups, and others wrote to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, urging him not to withdraw this essential lifeline. Modelling by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that scrapping the temporary increase would drive 700,000 more people into poverty across the UK, while a further 500,000 of those already living in poverty would be living below 50 per cent of the poverty line.

The statement also calls on the Scottish Government to “play its role” by increasing the Carers Allowance Supplement. It goes on, “This would recognise that carers are often locked into poverty, and in response to the additional financial pressures placed on them by the pandemic.”

“By boosting the incomes of people struggling to stay afloat, our Governments can relieve the pressure and stress that so many are now experiencing. We encourage those in power to listen to people who are affected by poverty now and take the steps we need to begin to redesign our social security to provide the support that everyone one needs.”

For media enquiries, contact Frances Rayner at The Poverty Alliance on 07855 069 952.

 

Challenge Poverty Week 2020: Statement from Scotland’s Faith Leaders

The response to the coronavirus pandemic highlighted much of what is best in our society. At its outset, we saw an outpouring of compassion and care for one another. Communities, neighbours, and families worked together to try and ensure that those most in need have not been left behind. All levels of government recognised the economic and social effects the pandemic would have, and quickly put in place measures to cushion some of its worst impacts.

During Challenge Poverty Week we are reminded that there is still much to do to help all those who are living with the constant pressure of poverty, and that despite the care and support that has been shown over the last six months we know that further action is needed to loosen the grip of poverty on people’s lives.

We are calling on both the UK Government and Scottish Government to take action that would reflect the care, compassion and support shown by people across the country into changes that would make a real difference to families and individuals living in the grip of poverty.

By ending the Benefit Cap and the two child limit the UK Government will boost the incomes of families most in need. They should also retain the increase in the Universal Credit basic allowance, maintaining the financial support that will still be needed for many as our economy recovers.

The Scottish Government can play its role by increasing the Carers Allowance Supplement. This would recognise that carers are often locked into poverty, and in response to the additional financial pressures placed on them by the pandemic.

By boosting the incomes of people struggling to stay afloat, our Governments can relieve the pressure and stress that so many are now experiencing. We encourage those in power to listen to people who are affected by poverty now and take the steps we need to begin to redesign our social security to provide the support that everyone one needs.

Signed by:

The Right Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Imam Razawi, Chief Imam and Director General, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society

The Right Rev William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway

Sensei Karl Kaliski, Cloud Water Zen Centre (Buddhist community)

The Most Revd Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Sikhs in Scotland, Member of Scottish Religious Leaders Forum

The Revd Mark Slaney, Chair Scotland District & Shetland District, Methodist Church in Scotland

Revd Paul Whittle, Moderator-Elect of the National Synod of Scotland of the United Reformed Church