WELFARE CUTS: JOHNSTONE SAYS CAB REPORT SHOWS HUMAN COST
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood's economy committee, says new analysis by Citizens Advice Scotland underlines the human cost of the UK Government's welfare cuts.
Between January and March this year one in every 50 CAB clients did not have enough money to buy food. Case studies in the Voices from the Frontline report highlight the devastating impact of harsh sanctions and poor administration.
Alison Johnstone MSP said:
"I know from my own constituency work that welfare cuts are having an appalling impact on the most vulnerable in society, and I look forward to the day we no longer need food banks in our communities. The case studies highlighted by Citizens Advice are shocking and reveal the human cost of the Coalition's cruel, wrong-headed policies. It's astonishing there is no real opposition to these policies at Westminster.
"Citizens Advice are right that we must address the causes of food poverty, and we must ensure people don't fall through the safety net that social security is supposed to be. I am convinced Scotland could design a more caring system if it had the responsibility.
"I will continue to challenge the cuts, and I will continue to push for an economy that works for everyone. We need a new approach that lifts people into better paid, more secure jobs, improves access to further education and supports those with caring responsibilities."