Latest news with #ColletteStevenson
The National
25-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour's welfare cuts 'to cost 300,000 Scots £500 per year'
Trussell, the anti-poverty charity which runs some 1400 food banks across the UK, also told MPs that new claimants for the health element of Universal Credit would be £3000 per year worse off if Labour's proposed changes go through. The UK Government is aiming to cut disability and sickness benefits by £5 billion annually by cutting back who is eligible for Personal Independence Payments (Pip), as well as freezing the health element of Universal Credit at the current rate and halving it for new claimants. The UK Government's own analysis has found that the cuts would push 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children. READ MORE: SNP minister hits out at Labour Government's welfare cuts Labour are facing a major rebellion from more than 120 MPs over the controversial plans, which could be stopped dead if opposition parties unite behind a 'reasoned amendment' against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is due to be voted on on July 1. In a briefing to MPs reported by the Daily Record, Trussell estimated that there are around 300,000 Scots in receipt of the health element of Universal Credit and associated benefits facing cuts. "All would stand to be affected by the freeze which by 2029/30 amounts to [a] real terms cut of £500 per year,' the charity said. It further added: 'Nine in ten new recipients to UC health in Scotland from April 2026 will experience a cut of £3000 per year by 2029/30.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he will not change course despite outcry over planned cutsSNP MSP Collette Stevenson said: 'This analysis delivers a damning verdict on the Labour Party's planned cuts to disability benefits which will hit the most vulnerable in our society hardest. 'With over 100 Labour MPs now confirming that they will join the SNP in voting against the cuts if Labour press ahead with them next week, it is imperative that Keir Starmer does yet another U-turn and scraps his plans immediately. 'To press ahead with the cuts would have a devastating impact on families across Scotland, pushing thousands of more people into poverty, and people would never forgive Keir Starmer.' Speaking from The Hague at a Nato summit on Wednesday, Starmer said he would not back down. 'We have got to make the reforms to our system. It isn't working as it is,' he said. READ MORE: EU, taxes, and Labour 'out of step': What we learned in John Curtice's polling report 'It doesn't work as it stands for people who desperately need help to get into work or for people who need protection. It is broken. 'We were elected in to change that which is broken, and that's what we will do, and that's why we will press ahead with reforms.' Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party] delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this.' His London counterpart, Sadiq Khan, has said ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans, while Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has previously spoken in support of the reforms, but is facing unrest within his group. So far, 10 Scottish Labour MPs have put their names to the reasoned amendment which would block the welfare cuts.
The National
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK's paternal leave system 'one of the worst in developed world'
THE UK's paternal leave system is 'one of the worst in the developed world', a parliamentary report has warned. The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), a cross-party group in the House of Commons, says that the system 'entrenches outdated gender stereotypes' and requires 'substantial change'. Introduced in 2003, statutory paternal leave allows new fathers to take up to two weeks of paid leave, with those eligible receiving £187.18 a week or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower. The report states that it is 'completely out of kilter with the cost of living', as this comes to below half of the National Living Wage and real Living Wage, in addition to being below rates in other European countries. READ MORE:Woman jailed in Scotland for sharing 'monkey torture' videos online The committee has called the two weeks' leave 'completely out of step with how most couples want to share their parenting responsibilities'. In comparison, Sweden entitles parents to 480 days of parental leave, which can be split into 240 days each if it's a parental team of two. Ninety days are reserved exclusively for fathers. Fathers in the UK do not have day-one right to paternity leave, unlike mothers. Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, called current paternity entitlement in the UK 'woefully insufficient and outdated'. (Image:) 'I would urge the UK government to overhaul statutory leave to 4-6 weeks and increase the statutory pay of £187.18/week or 90%, which should be more comparative with the increase in the cost of living and energy costs.' she said. 'Paternity Pay has to reflect modern family challenges yet it seems out of touch. Increasing paternity pay would be one way to incentivise couples to have bigger families as fertility rates have declined in recent years.' The SNP MSP, who also serves as convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee in Holyrood, noted that the Scottish government provides a baby box for parents with new babies. The report suggests several recommendations, including calling on parliament to pave the way towards increasing paid statutory paternity leave to six weeks, which it calls a 'medium-term objective'. It recommends a phased introduction of increases to statutory pay across the system to bring rates for all working parents up to 80% or more of average earnings or the real Living Wage. The WEC's report also looks at reforming shared parental leave, which allows up to 50 weeks of a mother's statutory leave and 37 weeks of her pay entitlement to be transferred to the father/co-parent within the first year. While beneficial to those who can access it, it is not universal, with the report urging that the scheme be made accessible to self-employed fathers. It also calls the shared parental leave system 'extremely difficult for most parents and their employees to understand.' Campaigners from The Dad Shift, who call for improved paternity leave in the UK, are set to picket outside Holyrood and in London on Wednesday afternoon.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
East Kilbride MSP welcomes Carer Support Payment stats for South Lanarkshire
Collette Stevenson said: 'These numbers show the real impact of the SNP's commitment to supporting carers." East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson MSP has welcomed new statistics relating to the SNP Scottish Government's Carer Support Payment. More than £89.5 million, including £6,501,420 across South Lanarkshire, has now been issued in vital financial support to carers throughout Scotland since it was piloted in November 2023. The Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance for new Scottish applicants and is a cornerstone of Scotland's distinct social security system. According to the latest figures, a total of 17,260 applications for the Carer Support Payment were received between November 2023 and the end of March 2025. Of the 10,375 applications processed, 73 per cent were approved, underlining the programme's strong uptake and success in reaching those in need. The data also reveals that carers from every local authority in Scotland have accessed the new payment since the national roll-out in November 2024. South Lanarkshire made up nine per cent of applications. Ms Stevenson said: 'These numbers show the real impact of the SNP's commitment to supporting carers. Carers make an immense contribution to our communities, and I am proud that Scotland is recognising their value through direct financial support. 'This investment of over £89 million across Scotland is not just a number, it represents a lifeline for thousands of people who care for loved ones every day, with millions of pounds going to almost 1500 carers across South Lanarkshire. 'This is what a Scottish social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect looks like." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did yo
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Current East Kilbride MSP confirmed as SNP's candidate for 2026 Holyrood election
Collette Stevenson, who won the seat in 2021 with a majority of over 8,500, will be taking on current South Lanarkshire Council Leader Joe Fagan who is standing for Labour in the constituency. Current East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson has been confirmed as the SNP's candidate for the 2026 Holyrood election. Collette, who won the seat in 2021 with a majority of over 8,500, will be taking on current South Lanarkshire Council Leader Joe Fagan who is standing for Labour in the constituency. Collette said: 'It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the constituency where I was born, and still live in, in our national Parliament. 'I am pleased to have the backing of local party members, and I will endeavour to continue working to help the people of East Kilbride, if re-elected next year. 'My office has helped thousands of constituents, but I am committed to continuing that hard work if re-elected next year. 'From Tory years of austerity, a global pandemic and now a Labour Government in Westminster committed to making people poorer, we've seen a lot of changes over the last few years. People need a representative on their side. 'Locally, I have welcomed the £140 million in improvements to our EK rail line, bringing with it two new stations, as well as additional parking spaces. I have made the case for peak rail fares to be scrapped – and I am glad to see that will become a reality in September. 'Elsewhere, I was the only elected representative to speak out against the FCDO's plans to move out of East Kilbride. I engaged with the PCS and local workers, listening to them and acting in their interests. 'Prescriptions, eye examinations and bus travel for over 2.3 million people will remain free. Students will pay no tuition fees, and families with young children will continue to receive a package of early learning and childcare support worth more than £6,000 for each eligible child each year. 'I am glad to see GPs and other community health services will receive a bigger share of new NHS funding which will build capacity. This will allow an additional 100,000 extra appointments in GP surgeries focused on addressing the root causes of ill health.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
