New research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds that changing poverty levels are largely the result of UK policies — but the Scottish Government has the power to act

A REPORT published this week by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on ‘Poverty in Scotland 2019’ has called for “more ambition and action” from the Scottish Government to address rising poverty levels.

The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland warned that welfare reforms threaten the Scottish Government’s Housing First agenda

While calling for the devolution of welfare powers, the Scottish Unemployed Workers Network says more can be done by the Scottish Government

Labour need to stop “weaponising” the two-child policy against the SNP and work with the Scottish Government, Aileen Campbell argued

SCOTTISH COMMUNITIES MINISTER Aileen Campbell condemned the “systemic failings” of Tory welfare reforms in her ministerial statement on UN Special Rapporteur Professor Philip Alston’s recently published report on UK poverty and human rights.

Tory welfare cuts will result in £3.7b reduction of social security spending in Scotland

THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT united against both the Scottish Conservatives and the UK Government during a debate on the impact of Universal Credit and Tory welfare cuts on those in poverty in Holyrood today [6 November].

The debate comes as the United Nations special investigator on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, begins a two-week inquiry into the impact of austerity in the UK and its effect on human rights.

Human rights report to UN says more action is needed on women’s rights in Scotland

A NEW report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has called on the Scottish and UK governments to take action to protect women’s economic, social and political rights.

Fresh criticism of flagship Tory welfare reform voiced following highly critical NAO report

THE UK GOVERNMENT must rectify the problems of Universal Credit “rather than pretending they do not exist”, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed has warned, as pressure mounts on work and pensions secretary Esther McVey to resign following claims that she wilfully misled parliament while defending the controversial welfare reform.

Scotland’s social security powers are limited, but experts argue there are actions which could be taken to address food poverty

EXPERTS AND campaigners have pointed to answers within the grasp of the Scottish Government which could help turn the tide on rising poverty figures amid Tory cuts to social security and the roll-out of the widely criticised Universal Credit.