Campaigners brand command paper a lost opportunity Thu, 22/01/2015 - 15:32 The Westminster Government’s command paper on the Smith Commission proposals has received a frosty response from campaign groups amid warnings that recommendations have been watered down. The STUC has warned that the draft clauses “will not match the intentions of the Smith Commission proposals” and stated that “it is unacceptable that the Scottish Parliament should require Westminster approval to create new benefit entitlements in Scotland.” The trade union organisation added that “given that the STUC was underwhelmed by totality of the Smith Commission proposals, this further watering down of the promise that was made to voters in Scotland is unacceptable”. The STUC also demanded that the Scottish Labour Party “looks very carefully at these clauses and takes a clear view on whether they meet its aspirations and the spirit of the Smith Commission proposals” – a call which was immediately snubbed by Jim Murphy who lined up with the Tory Government to support them in full in an interview on the Daily Politics. Meanwhile the Campaign for Scottish Home Rule warned that the command paper will not deliver home rule, stating “the real missed opportunity in this Command Paper is that it does not deliver a sustainable proposal based on a set of principles that gives Scottish Parliament control over domestic policy; in other words, it does not deliver Scottish Home Rule.” The Poverty Alliance’s Director Peter Kelly described the draft clauses as “very disappointing”, highlighting that any changes to Housing Benefit would need to be agreed by the Scottish Secretary, arguing that “by giving the Secretary of State a veto, the Scottish Government is essentially being stripped of any real powers over this.” The SCVO expressed its frustration, stating that “the piecemeal proposals put forward by the Smith Commission were never going to translate into coherent legislation, so we’re not surprised by today’s disappointing and incoherent offerings which simply will not create an enduring settlement or the fundamental change and greater social justice that so many people in Scotland want”. Citizens Advice Scotland made clear that it was “deeply disappointed that the paper states that the migration from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) will continue under current timescales and process.” The organisation also stated that “the Smith Commission led us to believe the Scottish Government could craft its own welfare system, outside of Universal Credit, taking into account the needs of Scotland. It seems now that offer has been withdrawn.” Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: “The frosty response to the Westminster Government’s command paper from these campaigning organisations demonstrates why an urgent rethink is needed. Their disappointment with the limits of the proposals is very evident. “While we will always welcome additional powers for Scotland, the Smith Commission proposals fell far short of giving Scotland the kind of powers we need to create jobs and make Scotland a fairer country. “Now the Westminster Government has proposed watering down the proposals even further, by introducing a Westminster veto on Scotland’s ability to make important welfare changes – such as abolishing the Bedroom Tax. “That is unacceptable and clearly runs against the spirit of what was promised by the Smith Commission. SNP Parliamentary Trade Union Group Convenor Christina McKelvie MSP added: “The Westminster Government needs to rethink its proposals as a matter of urgency and recognise that attempting to hold onto a veto is simply not an option. A strong team of SNP MPs will ensure the Westminster parties are not allowed to forget the Vow they made to the people of Scotland - and will use their clout to push the case for more powers at every opportunity.” The STUC’s response can be viewed at stuc.org.uk/news/1129/stuc-on-new-scottish-parliament-powers-... The Poverty Alliance’s response can be viewed at povertyalliance.org/news_pubs/press_releases/further_powers_clauses Citizen Advice Scotland’s response can be viewed at cas.org.uk/news/cas-disappointed-and-bewildered-uk-government... The SCVO’s response can be viewed at scvo.org.uk/media-release/legislation-on-more-powers-for-scot...
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:41:29 +0000
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