Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP

As an amendment to motion S5M-19939 in the name of Richard Leonard (Universal Credit), insert at end ", alongside the abhorrent ‘rape clause’, the benefit sanctions regime and the ‘bedroom tax’; notes estimates that UK Government social security spending will reduce by £3.7 billion by next year, and believes that an independent Scotland with full powers over social security can ensure that Scotland has a social security system that is built with the people of Scotland to meet their needs."

As an amendment to motion S5M-19939 in the name of Richard Leonard (Universal Credit), insert at end ", alongside the abhorrent ‘rape clause’, the benefit sanctions regime and the ‘bedroom tax’; notes estimates that UK Government social security spending will reduce by £3.7 billion by next year, and believes that an independent Scotland with full powers over social security can ensure that Scotland has a social security system that is built with the people of Scotland to meet their needs."

That the Parliament is committed to improving the provision of disability benefits in Scotland, built on a new human rights-based social security system for the people of Scotland; notes the publication of the independently produced report, A Consultation on Disability Assistance in Scotland: Analysis of Responses; considers that the report highlights agreement on the provision of social security payments for disabled people based on dignity, fairness and respect; notes that the Scottish Government is co-designing this approach with people who have lived experience of receiving social security payments, and agrees that it is essential that the needs of disabled people are at the heart of Scotland’s social security system.

That the Parliament is committed to improving the provision of disability benefits in Scotland, built on a new human rights-based social security system for the people of Scotland; notes the publication of the independently produced report, A Consultation on Disability Assistance in Scotland: Analysis of Responses; considers that the report highlights agreement on the provision of social security payments for disabled people based on dignity, fairness and respect; notes that the Scottish Government is co-designing this approach with people who have lived experience of receiving social security payments, and agrees that it is essential that the needs of disabled people are at the heart of Scotland’s social security system.

As an amendment to motion S5M-16012 in the name of Mark Griffin (Carer's Allowance Supplement), leave out from "rejects" to end and insert "welcomes the immense contribution that carers make to society, caring for family, friends and neighbours; recognises that the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) has increased financial support to carers by 13% and put an extra £442 a year in people’s pockets in 2018-19, which is an investment in carers of over £33 million; further recognises the Scottish Government’s use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as an uprating mechanism, which, in 2019-20, will increase CAS to £452.40, which is an investment of around £37 million in carers; notes that CPI is used as the Bank of England’s inflation target; further notes that the Office for National Statistics deems the Retail Price Index (RPI) a very poor measure of inflation; acknowledges that RPI lost its status as a National Statistic in 2013; further acknowledges that there is a consensus among economists and statisticians that RPI does not meet international standards, and agrees that the Scottish Government should not use RPI as a measure to uprate benefits for these reasons."

As an amendment to motion S5M-16012 in the name of Mark Griffin (Carer's Allowance Supplement), leave out from "rejects" to end and insert "welcomes the immense contribution that carers make to society, caring for family, friends and neighbours; recognises that the introduction of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) has increased financial support to carers by 13% and put an extra £442 a year in people’s pockets in 2018-19, which is an investment in carers of over £33 million; further recognises the Scottish Government’s use of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as an uprating mechanism, which, in 2019-20, will increase CAS to £452.40, which is an investment of around £37 million in carers; notes that CPI is used as the Bank of England’s inflation target; further notes that the Office for National Statistics deems the Retail Price Index (RPI) a very poor measure of inflation; acknowledges that RPI lost its status as a National Statistic in 2013; further acknowledges that there is a consensus among economists and statisticians that RPI does not meet international standards, and agrees that the Scottish Government should not use RPI as a measure to uprate benefits for these reasons."

That the Social Security Committee recommends that the Early Years Assistance (Best Start Grants) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.

That the Social Security Committee recommends that the Early Years Assistance (Best Start Grants) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.

That the Social Security Committee recommends that the Early Years Assistance (Best Start Grants) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 1) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.

That the Social Security Committee recommends that the Early Years Assistance (Best Start Grants) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 1) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.