ESTHER MCVEY MUST ACCEPT INVITATION TO EXPLAIN APPALLING WELFARE RECORD The SNP has today welcomed the Scottish Parliaments Welfare Reform Committees renewed call for UK Employment Minister Esther McVey to give evidence at the Scottish Parliament. UK Ministers have repeatedly refused to give evidence to the committee, despite the fact that Westminster welfare reforms have led to a 400 per cent increase in the number of people relying on food banks in Scotland. The call comes on the same day as a new group of Scottish civic leaders unite to challenge the UK Governments austerity politics - and a report published by leading church figures, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, calls for hunger in Britain to be eliminated by 2020. The report was prompted by concern over the unprecedented numbers of people depending on food banks across the nations of the UK. Commenting Kevin Stewart MSP, a member of the Welfare Reform Committee, said: “It is totally unacceptable that Ester McVey refuses attend the Scottish Parliament to answer questions about the policies she is imposing. The Welfare Reform Committee have repeatedly invited UK Minister to appear before the committee to provide answers on their appalling record on supporting our most vulnerable people - but every invitation has been refused. “Esther McVey must take this opportunity to accept the invitation to appear before the committee. Another refusal will send a clear message that she and her government simply do not care. “The UK Government’s austerity politics and welfare cuts have forced some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland into poverty. “While I welcome the recommendation of the transfer of limited powers in the Smith Commission – it is clear that will not go far enough to tackling the level of poverty caused by Westminster policies. “There is a clear recognition that Scotland needs substantial powers over welfare and taxation if we are to address the major problems that affect too many people in Scotland – and the SNP will continue to campaign for those powers so we can work to build a stronger and fairer country.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:39:33 +0000