LABOUR MSP CONCEDES THREAT TO SCOTTISH PENSIONERS’ BENEFITS FROM LONDON LABOUR GOVERNMENT

LABOUR MSP CONCEDES THREAT TO SCOTTISH PENSIONERS’ BENEFITS FROM LONDON LABOUR GOVERNMENT

Commenting after the Politics Show today where Labour’s Scottish health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, conceded that the future of Attendance Allowance is under threat from London Labour Government plans to scrap the benefit as part of proposals to pay for the future care of the elderly in England, Glasgow SNP MSP Bill Kidd said it raised serious questions about Labour’s plans.

The proposals to cut Attendance Allowance, a benefit worth up to £70.35 per week to 145,000 people in Scotland, have been mooted in the UK Government paper: ‘Shaping the future of care together.’ One of the suggestions in the consultation paper is scrapping disability benefits like Attendance Allowance and putting the money directly into care services.

Commenting Mr Kidd said:

“Jackie Baillie has just exposed how Labour rhetoric do not meet their actions when it comes to care services. There are 145,000 people in Scotland on Attendance Allowance, and it is outrageous that Labour is planning to abolish an allowance on which some of the most vulnerable rely.

“Downing Street is essentially planning to cut this benefit to fund care in England – which the Scottish Government already provide in Scotland.

“It is also entirely likely that Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s would be affected as well; and the move would also call into question the future of Carer’s Allowance paid to the many selfless carers who look after the disabled elderly.

“By conceding that Attendance Allowance is under threat Jackie Baillie shows an odd focus when it comes to the issues that face the most vulnerable in society. The Labour obsession with kneejerk negativity towards the Scottish Government is exposed by her latest position.

“It is the Scottish Government along with COSLA whish is reviewing how we can provide better care for the most vulnerable whilst it is the London Labour government whish is plannig to cut their income. That Jackie Baillie chooses to ignore the threat from south of the border just exposes the party politicking of her position.”