
SNP urge Reeves not to cut Isa tax-free allowance
Suggestions of the shift have raised concerns among banks, while consumer finance expert Martin Lewis claimed it could match up to other unpopular decisions taken by the Labour administration in the past year, including the cut to personal independence payments (Pip) and the winter fuel payment.
SNP economy spokesman, Dave Doogan, said the move could 'clobber' 1.3 million people in Scotland who have cash Isas.
'Rachel Reeves seems determined to make this Labour Government one of the least popular in history with its austerity cuts and tax hikes hitting every part of society and leaving families worse off,' he said.
'First, the Labour Party went after pensioners and disabled people with their winter fuel and disability cuts, then they went after farmers and small businesses with their tax hikes, and now they are coming after millions of hard-pressed families who are simply doing their best to save for their futures. They are totally out of touch.
'People are sick to the back teeth of this Labour government making it harder for people to get by.
'Under Keir Starmer, Brexit Britain is already suffering from soaring living costs, poor wages and a personal savings crisis.
'The UK Government should be helping people not launching another Labour Party tax grab – and dipping their fingers into people's life savings.
'This blow to savers is already proving to be deeply unpopular with voters and, as consumer champions like Martin Lewis have warned, it could be another winter fuel and Pip level controversy for millions of families who are angry with this out-of-touch Labour Government.'
Research commissioned by the SNP by the House of Commons Library on the issue found 30% of Scottish adults reported having a cash Isa.
Those accounts, as of April 2022, have a total market value of £52.7 billion, an average of £32,917 per account.
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
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Scottish Sun
17 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Miscarriage bereavement leave law shake-up is a long time coming, say campaigners
'From that moment you find out you're pregnant, your life changes.' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CAMPAIGNERS have hailed new laws to grant parents miscarriage bereavement leave as ground-breaking. At the moment, if a woman loses a baby before the 24-week mark, she is not legally entitled to any time off - instead it's up to the discretion of an employer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The law change will come into force in 2027 2 Sarah Pryde-Smith says the change is ground-breaking And while many bosses are understanding, advocates say it's like a 'postcode lottery' as to whether grieving would-be mums get time off. Now Labour has confirmed both mothers and fathers will be granted a right to bereavement leave after suffering a miscarriage as part of the government's employment rights bill, with the length of time still to be decided. Sarah Pryde-Smith, CEO at baby loss charity Simba, says the changes are a long time coming. She said: 'We're thrilled that the government has announced this. Confirming that families who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks will have an entitlement to protected bereavement leave is something that is long overdue. 'At the moment it's like a postcode lottery. If you've got a really supportive employer, that's great, that's really lucky, but the change needed to come and it's groundbreaking.' The shake-up comes after a hard-fought Leave for Every Loss campaign launched last year by the Miscarriage Association. It called for equitable parental bereavement leave to highlight the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy loss. This was supported by Simba, a Scottish organisation which honours baby loss at every stage by providing memory boxes in hospital and in the community. Sarah said: 'At Simba we were proud to support the Leave for Every Loss campaign, which led to this change. Any type of loss at any stage is horrendous. 'From that moment you find out you're pregnant, your life changes and you're grieving the loss of a pregnancy, a baby, but you're also grieving the loss of what would have been, what might have been. 'And that takes time to process. The change will ensure parents have the legal right to take time off work to grieve. Parents warned 3 common summer foods are dangerous to toddlers - and eating a specific fruit can cause nasty sunburn 'It isn't just about the physical effects of loss, it's about that grieving process too.' The charity boss says the rule revamp comes after a number of positive changes around baby loss. Families who have lost babies can now register the bereavement in a memorial book and receive a certificate to mark the loss. Meanwhile, new guidelines have been established for miscarriage care meaning women won't have to go through three miscarriages in a row before getting access to specialist support. Sarah said: 'The new law change, which comes into effect in 2027, builds on the continued work that's already been done around the certification of pregnancy and baby loss prior to 24 weeks. 'That was introduced in Scotland last year, and England and Wales have caught up this year. And that information is included in our memory box so that families can formally acknowledge their loss. 'There's loads more to do but this is a real, punch-the-air moment that's happened. And it's testament to the families and the associations and organisations that championed this change.' MY VIEW COMING back to work after my first miscarriage, a concerned workmate asked if I'd been off with the flu. It was nobody's fault but it felt like a gut punch. Thankfully my understanding boss had given me a fortnight off to recover and grieve the loss of the little life I'd been so excited about – or I think that kind enquiry would have floored me. I'm now the very blessed and proud mum of a fantastic five- year-old. But before he came along I lost two babies, both around the three-month mark. In my case, I was very ill on both occasions, so the toll was physical as well as emotional. But I knew one call to my boss would be enough to ensure I had all the time and space I needed to recover, with my equally devastated husband. However, I know not everyone is so lucky at work which is why this law change is a vital step forward. I have a son I adore, but the hurt and grief will always be there. Whether you're two days or two months pregnant, loss at any stage is life-changing. I hope this shake-up is the first of many moves to acknowledge that. Grief Coach Lisa Hague, who has worked alongside Simba to advocate for families experiencing baby loss, also praised the shake-up. The mum-of-three, whose own daughter Lola was stillborn, said: 'Until now, bereavement leave for miscarriage has been too much of a grey area. I've heard first-hand from people that they've had a miscarriage and their employer has said, 'Oh god, that's awful, take the day off and we'll see you tomorrow'. 'That can't be for your employer to decide. 'For ladies that have been pregnant, and this was definitely the case for me, your life changes from the minute that you pee on the stick and you find out you're pregnant. 'There needs to be time for women who have lost under 24 weeks, and their partners too, to be able to acknowledge that this is a big loss.' Now Sarah hopes that the legislation move will remove some of the stigma around miscarriage and lead to more awareness. She added: 'There's still work to be done. Changing policies, upskilling your staff, understanding so that we're not whispering about miscarriage and baby loss. 'One in four pregnancies ends in a loss and it doesn't discriminate either. Everyone will be touched by it, directly or indirectly. So we should be talking about these things. 'It should be within employment policies and there should be the creation of supportive and caring, bereavement-led environments.'


Daily Mirror
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
How your MP voted on stripped-down welfare bill and full list of Labour rebels
Charities have reacted with fury over cuts to health-related Universal Credit payments, and 47 Labour MPs broke ranks to vote against the Government's stripped down welfare Bill Dozens of Labour MPs have again rebelled against controversial welfare reforms that have sparked fury among charities. Forty seven broke ranks over plans to cut health-related Universal Credit payments expected to impact an estimated 750,000 disabled people. Those affected will lose around £3,000 a year by 2030 in a move branded a "stain" on the Labour Party. Charities hit out after the Government's stripped-down Universal Credit Bill passed its final Commons hurdle with a majority of 94. They warned it would have a devastating impact on those whose payments are slashed. It comes after Keir Starmer and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall were forced to make major concessions last week. Ministers backed raising the Universal Credit standard allowance at least in line with inflation - a move they say will see four million households £725 a year better off. But the Bill will see new claimants who sign up to health-related payments receive a lower rate. Backbencher Rachael Maskell - who voted against the Government - told the Commons: "To pass this Bill tonight will leave such a stain on this great party founded on the values of equality and justice." The limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) benefit will be roughly halved for those who claim it from April 2026, unless they are terminally ill or meet a set of "severe conditions criteria". See if your MP supported the Bill using our tool below, and scroll down to see a full list of Labour rebels Pre-2026 claimants will receive £423.27 but new claimants will receive £217.26. Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations at Parkinson's UK, said: "The government's decision to cut Universal Credit costs is appalling. We believe that, despite the government's claims, savings are being made by effectively making people with Parkinson's ineligible for the higher rate health element. "The Bill clearly states that someone must be constantly unable to do certain tasks to qualify. This will penalise people with Parkinson's, whose symptoms come and go. Until we can be certain that people with fluctuating conditions will not be penalised, we'll continue campaigning for a fair system. "We're thankful to the MPs who tried to stop the changes to Universal Credit, and for every campaigner who raised their voice. We stopped the cuts to PIP, and while we're disappointed by the result today, this setback won't stop us." Former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who last week quit as a Labour member more than a year after having the whip withdrawn, said: "This is a Government not only out of touch but also morally bankrupt. It works for billionaires and big businesses but turns its back on disabled people." But the Government argues reform is badly needed to better support people getting back into work. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: 'Our reforms are built on the principle of fairness, fixing a system that for too long has left people trapped in a cycle of dependence. We are giving extra support to millions of households across the country, while offering disabled people the chance to work without fear of the repercussions if things don't work out. 'These reforms will change the lives of people across the country, so they have a real chance for a better future.' The Government had initially proposed limiting access to personal independence payments (PIP) and health aspects of Universal Credit. Its own analysis suggested this would drag 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 childrens. The controversial measures were set to save around £5billion a year. But outraged Labour MPs refused to back the Bill, prompting the Government to announce a review of PIP headed by DWP minister Sir Stephen TImms. No changes to PIP will be made until this is complete, rebels were told in a massive concession. Earlier this week the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the changes will now pull 50,000 children out of poverty. Helen Barnard, director of policy, research and impact at food bank charity Trussell, said: 'We are deeply concerned about the cuts being made to Universal Credit health payments for disabled and ill people applying in the future. "The scale of the remaining cuts in this ill-conceived bill will still be devastating and risks pushing more disabled people to food banks. Life costs more if you're disabled. Cutting this part of our social security system will mean 9 in 10 disabled people newly claiming the Universal Credit health element will miss out on around £3,000 worth of support on average by 2029/30. "It makes no sense to rip support away from people in the future, just because their health has worsened, they become disabled, or their income drops after an arbitrary date. " And Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability charity Mencap said: 'By pushing ahead with these cuts, the Government will leave future claimants £3000 a year worse off. This will condemn disabled people with the most complex needs - people who cannot work and have no alternative income - to poverty and a lifetime of existing rather than living. 'It's important the Government is committed to listening to the needs of disabled people in reforming the PIP system. People with a learning disability should be at the heart of these reforms and we welcome today's commitment and reassurance that this will happen.' Full list of Labour rebels Abtisam Mohamed - Sheffield Central Alison Hume - Scarborough and Whitby Andy McDonald - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Barry Gardiner - Brent West Bell Ribeiro-Addy - Clapham and Brixton Hill Brian Leishman - Alloa and Grangemouth Cat Eccles - Stourbridge Chris Bloore - Redditch Chris Hinchliff - North East Hertfordshire Dawn Butler - Brent East Derek Twigg - Widnes and Halewood Diane Abbott - Hackney North and Stoke Newington Emma Lewell - South Shields Euan Stainbank - Falkirk Graham Stringer - Blackley and Middleton South Grahame Morris - Easington Ian Byrne - Liverpool West Derby Ian Lavery - Blyth and Ashington Imran Hussain - Bradford East Irene Campbell - North Ayrshire and Arran Jon Trickett - Normanton and Hemsworth Jonathan Brash - Hartlepool Kate Osborne - Jarrow and Gateshead East Kim Johnson - Liverpool Riverside Lee Barron - Corby and East Northamptonshire Lorraine Beavers - Blackpool North and Fleetwood Margaret Mullane - Dagenham and Rainham Marie Rimmer - St Helens South and Whiston Marsha De Cordova - Battersea Mary Glindon - Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend Mary Kelly Foy - City of Durham Maureen Burke - Glasgow North East Mohammad Yasin - Bedford Nadia Whittome - Nottingham East Navendu Mishra - Stockport Neil Duncan-Jordan - Poole Olivia Blake - Sheffield Hallam Paula Barker - Liverpool Wavertree Peter Dowd - Bootle Rachael Maskell - York Central Rebecca Long Bailey - Salford Richard Burgon - Leeds East Rosena Allin-Khan - Tooting Simon Opher - Stroud Stella Creasy - Walthamstow Tracy Gilbert - Edinburgh North and Leith


BBC News
37 minutes ago
- BBC News
Government's diluted welfare bill clears House of Commons
MPs have approved the government's benefits bill, which was heavily watered-down last week following a rebellion by Labour Universal Credit Bill is expected to be classed as a money bill, meaning it could become law after one month, with or without the approval of the House of measures implement cuts to the health-related element of universal credit for some claimants, while ensuring other parts of the benefit rise above bill had originally proposed making it harder for people to claim the personal independence payment however, following objections from Labour MPs, this has been scrapped for existing claimants and put on hold for future ones. Personal independence payment (Pip) is paid to people with long-term physical or mental health conditions and is not linked to the recipient's savings or income. In contrast, universal credit (UC) is means-tested and designed to help support the unemployed or low-paid people. Urging MPs to back the bill, Disabilities Minister Sir Stephen Timms said: "If you can work, you should, if you need help into work, the government should provide it, and those who can't work must be able to live with dignity."Those are the principles underpinning what we're doing."The government said nearly four million households would see their income boosted by £725 over the next five years, as a result of increasing the universal credit standard the government's climbdown last week, 47 Labour MPs still voted against the legislation and backed a rebel amendment tabled by York MP Rachael Maskell. During a debate ahead of the final votes, Maskell called the bill an "omnishambles" which would result in different levels of UC to people depending on whether they had claimed before or after April asked if someone who came off universal credit as their illness subsided but then had a relapse and needed the benefit would be awarded a lower rate compared to what they had previously Stephen said the bill already protected people in the situation she had Maskell pushed her amendment to a vote which would see those with fluctuating medical conditions receive the existing rate of UC, rather than the lower rate applied to new claimants. It was defeated by 334 votes to 149. The Conservatives also tabled an amendment which would have made further changes including reducing payments for those with less severe mental health conditions and excluding some foreign nationals from certain benefits. It was defeated by 416 votes to 103. In the final vote, MPs approve the bill by 336 votes votes to changes to universal credit will apply across the UK while any measures relating to Pip apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Last week - in order to ensure the bill could pass - ministers were forced to make last-minute concessions including announcing that stricter eligibility rules for new Pip claimants would not be introduced until a review into Pip assessments had been review - which aims to conclude in autumn 2026 - will be led by Disabilities Minister Sir Stephen Timms and would be co-produced with disabled people and the organisations that represent them. During Wednesday's debate, several Labour MPs urged the government to strengthen the role of disabled people in the review. Labour MP Marie Tidball said their involvement in the Timms review should be "meaningful and not performative". Another Labour MP, Stella Creasy, said disabled organisations should have veto power over any recommendations made by the review. Before MPs had begun their debate, a United Nations panel raised concerns about the impact the government's proposals would have on disabled a letter to the Department for Work and Pensions, the UN's high commissioner asked about measures to "address the foreseeable risk of increasing poverty rates amongst persons with disabilities if cuts are approved".The government had estimated the bill would save £5bn a year by 2030, however the concessions it made to ensure the bill could pass mean those savings have been virtually wiped week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves was asked if the changes would lead to tax rises. She said she would not "speculate" but added: "Of course there is a cost to the welfare changes that Parliament voted through this week and that will be reflected in the Budget."