Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security

The Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security (SCoRSS) is a coalition of over 40 key NGOs, faith groups and unions as well as individuals from across Scotland who want to see a fairer social security system.

Our Principles for Change sets out the five principles we believe need to be at the heart of our social security system.

Any interested organisation or individual is welcome to join. Membership is free and simply involves confirming that you agree with the five principles. members are welcome to get involved in the campaign steering group if they have the time and resources to do so.

To join the campaign please contact:

Ruth Boyle, Campaigns & Policy Manager
ruth.boyle@povertyalliance.org
Tel: 0141 353 0440

Poverty Alliance responds to new UK Government measures

By David Eyre | March 20, 2020

Responding to measures announced by the UK Government today on jobs and social security, Peter Kelly (Director, Poverty Alliance) said: “As the Chancellor said this afternoon we are in unprecedented times, and we require measures that respond in kind. We require a compassionate and bold response to the crisis that is unfolding as a result … Read more

Coronavirus and poverty: Poverty Alliance response

By David Eyre | March 20, 2020

Times of crisis hold a mirror up to our society. In the last fortnight we have seen that our sense of compassion is alive and well as people rush to volunteer, donate, and protect neighbours and loved ones. Our country is a compassionate one; we care about each other and want to protect each other … Read more

Poverty Alliance welcomes new measures to protect communities

By David Eyre | March 18, 2020

Poverty Alliance welcomes new Scottish Government COVID-19 measures Responding to the Scottish Government’s announcement of a series of measures  – including a £45 million investment in the Scottish Welfare Fund – aimed at protecting communities from the social and economic impact of COVID-19, Peter Kelly (Director, Poverty Alliance) said: “Our country is compassionate; we care … Read more

UK Budget fails to deliver on promise to “level up”

By David Eyre | March 11, 2020

Responding to the UK Budget, Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance said: “While we welcome the measures designed to cushion people from the impact of coronavirus, and the minor adjustment to Universal Credit, this does not amount to a budget to “level up” the UK. “Coronavirus has shone a light on the precarity at the … Read more

A budget to “level up” our economy?

By David Eyre | March 10, 2020

The Prime Minister has asserted that the days of austerity policies will soon be over and that the UK Government will pursue an agenda of ‘levelling up’ our economy and society. To make this a reality, tomorrow’s Budget must put tackling poverty at its heart. Below are some of the key actions the Chancellor can … Read more

Response to extension of statutory sick pay

By David Eyre | March 4, 2020

Responding to the UK Government announcement that statutory sick pay will be available to workers self-isolating from the Corona virus from their first day off, Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance said: “While we welcome the much needed extension of statutory sick pay, this will not be enough to protect workers who may need to … Read more

Guest blog: Climate, class and the radical action we need

By David Eyre | February 25, 2020

Francis Stuart is Policy Officer at the STUC. Here, he writes on the case for – in the absence of meaningful climate justice policies being developed by national governments – more bold and radical action from wider civil society. The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, knows a thing or … Read more

Redesigning our labour market so it works for all of us

By David Eyre | February 18, 2020

“More and more people in our communities are being locked into poverty by jobs that are low paid and insecure. When people in work can barely afford to put food on the table and when parents working full-time are struggling to cope, there is clearly something very wrong that we have to put right.” Jackie, … Read more

Campaigners issue budget demand as number of people seeking crisis support soars

By David Eyre | January 30, 2020

Campaigners have written to Derek Mackay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, urging him to use next week’s Scottish Government budget to increase investment in the Scottish Welfare Fund, after new figures showed that the number of people applying for emergency cash because they can’t afford food is soaring. The letter – sent … Read more

Calls to end 5 week wait for Universal Credit as UK Government admits they don’t know how many people it has pulled into poverty

By David Eyre | January 27, 2020

Campaigners have today renewed calls to end the damaging ‘five-week wait’ for first payments of Universal Credit after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Poverty Alliance revealed there is no Government analysis of the impact of the policy on poverty and destitution. The news follows a report last week from the Resolution Foundation … Read more

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