UNITED NATIONS TO PROBE TORY WELFARE REFORMS The SNP has urged the UK Government to fully cooperate with UN investigators following reports that the United Nations are to probe UK Government welfare reforms following a complaint that there had “grave and systematic” violations of disabled people’s human rights. So concerned are the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that they have already launched a formal investigation – and it is believed that a team will shortly visit the UK – and Scotland- to talk to those directly hit by the deep and continuing assault of Tory cuts. Last year United Nations SpecialRead More →

SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford is calling for an immediate halt to all sanctions in response to concerns that DWP staff are put under pressure to hit targets.   Dr Whiteford has written to Minister for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith saying that a “root and branch” independent review must be carried out immediately following a sorry catalogue of errors at the government department.   In recent weeks it has emerged that the DWP shamelessly fabricated success stories for a leaflet, that half of JSA and ESA sanctions were overturned when reviewed and today a whistle-blower has revealed that staff are under pressure from bossesRead More →

The SNP is today highlighting further expert evidence on the ‘devastating’ impacts of sanctions on women – amidst further backing for powers over the sanctions regime to be in Scotland’s hands rather than Westminster’s. Ahead of this week’s meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee, a series of expert submissions have underlined the appalling impact of sanctions on single mothers, survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, disabled women and refugees in particular. Close the Gap, One Parent Families Scotland, the Fawcett Society, Inclusion Scotland, the Scottish Refugee Council, Child Poverty Action Group and the Scottish Women’s Convention all submitted written evidence highly critical ofRead More →