CAUTIOUS WELCOME FOR BENEFITS U-TURN AFTER SNP PRESSURE

CAUTIOUS WELCOME FOR BENEFITS U-TURN AFTER SNP PRESSURE

SNP WILL REMIND VOTERS OF LABOUR'S PLANS

SNP Work and Pensions Spokesman, John Mason MP, has given a cautious welcome to an apparent u-turn by Labour over the Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

The announcement follows the passing of a motion at the SNP Campaign Conference in Aviemore condemning Labour's plans to scrap Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for the over 65s and Attendance Allowance (AA) across the UK to fund a new care service for England.

Now in the White Paper, Labour has said that they will no longer be looking to change neither AA nor DLA in the next Parliament.

Nevertheless Mr Mason says the very fact Labour considered scrapping the benefits will be highlighted to voters in the coming election.

Commenting Mr Mason said:

“This u-turn cannot come too soon. Whilst I welcome it I am cautious about Labour's intentions since it has come on the eve of a general election.

"Labour's proposal would have impacted on 145,000 elderly people in Scotland, pushing 58,000 vulnerable Scots into poverty and adversely affecting carers looking after those in receipt of the allowance.

“These people are all either disabled or over the age of 65, the groups least likely to be able to live on their own and look after themselves.

"That Labour even suggested such cuts in the first place is an indication of how they cannot be trusted and the very fact they proposed this will be an issue in the election.

“The SNP fought these cuts since they were first suggested by Labour in their health green paper last year.

“It is clear that the pressure disability and pensioners support groups have put upon Labour - including a motion at the SNP conference - has helped them reach this sudden change in their stance for the election.

“However what is needed is a system by which these benefits can be decided in Scotland rather than left to governments in Westminster."