Chamber and committees

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate.

For far too long, unpaid carers have been given a raw deal by the social security system. Their essential, compassionate and unquantifiable contribution cannot be overstated. I take this opportunity to praise the staff and volunteers of Carers of West Dunbartonshire and Carers Link East Dunbartonshire for providing an outstanding level of support to carers in my constituency.

During the 14 years that I had the privilege of being part of the nursing team at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in my constituency, I saw at first hand how caring, attentive, and compassionate unpaid carers are. That was at the time of greatest need—at the end of life—and the unwavering, unconditional love and support that they showed always filled me with respect and admiration.

That is especially true when we consider the contribution of unpaid carers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The love and support that they have given to those they care for has been a lifesaver to many, especially at a time when those people have not had full access to other services. That is why I welcome the intentions of the bill.

As a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, I can advise that we received powerful testimony from carers and others about the impact that Covid-19 has had. The evidence about the emotional and financial impact was clear. Carers said that the doubling of the carers allowance supplement in December will be very welcome at such a challenging financial time. It is a no-brainer that we should continue to provide that additional amount as Covid-19 pressures continue. Members should contrast that approach with one that removes the £20 uplift from universal credit—a cut that will put thousands of carers into poverty.

The evidence that the committee received also made it clear that wider reform to the available support is essential. We must not let carers down when it comes to that much-needed reform, as they have been let down for far too long. Since 1976, when the invalid care allowance was introduced, successive UK Governments have refused to align the amount that is paid with other earnings replacement benefits. Those UK Governments had years and years and numerous opportunities to correct their mistakes and the broken promises made to carers, but they refused to do so.

I am pleased that in Scotland we have acted to do that with the carers allowance supplement. It put carers on a par with others, which was long overdue. When we have the safe transfer of carers allowance cases to Social Security Scotland from the DWP, we should continue apace with the changes that carers are calling for. We must devise a new system of carers assistance that does not discourage claims, and one that more ably responds to the real-world demands on carers in Scotland.

The current system deters carers from claiming, penalises them for working or studying and turns its back on disabled carers and older carers. Powers over take-up are reserved to Westminster, but that issue also needs to be addressed. The underlying benefit rules mean that many disabled and pension-age carers see no gain from claiming. The carers allowance supplement has altered that position in Scotland, so we need to get the message out that it is worth while applying.

The remaining reserved policy hinders our take-up message because of the conflict that the UK benefits system creates for disabled people who are in receipt of the severe disability premium. A disabled person can lose the severe disability premium if their carer claims carers allowance, so that approach puts financial conflict into the relationship between the carer and the person they assist. That obvious deterrent to claiming must end if we are to fully maximise the support on offer to carers.

We must get it right when setting the new carers assistance scheme for Scotland. We must not just listen to carers before taking no action on concerns raised, in the way that successive UK Governments did. I look forward to this Parliament instead recognising the massive contribution that unpaid carers make, and then being able to hold our heads up as we create an effective and compassionate system of support: one that brings the step change that is needed to properly recognise and support carers in Scotland.

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support people on low incomes. (S6F-00283)

Scotland is facing a perfect storm with surging energy prices, the end of furlough and the biggest cut to social security since the 1930s. The United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty has condemned the £20 universal credit cut as a move that breaches international human rights law and is likely to trigger an explosion of poverty. Does the First Minister agree that the only way to protect the most vulnerable in society from devastating Tory policies is to become an independent country?

Thank you, convener—apologies for my connection issues.

I appreciate the time that the groups that are here have given us in their submissions. I welcome your comments on the need for affordable housing and the longer-term impact that that will have in reducing housing cost poverty and on looking at ways to support people to mitigate housing costs. We are obviously aware that the policy for both housing benefit and universal credit housing and support costs are reserved to Westminster. The cap on local housing allowance means that many are not getting the full—[Inaudible.] Do you believe that, for us to move forward on this, the UK Government needs to reverse this cut, or is it something that needs to be fully mitigated by discretionary housing payments?

Yes. Sorry—I missed the first part of Chris Birt’s answer.

It is obvious that decent wages—a real living wage, with fair terms and conditions—are important if we are to meet the poverty targets. Do you have any suggestion about when it will be possible to achieve that? What can be done under existing Scottish Government responsibilities? Responsibility for setting the statutory minimum wage and control of working benefits remain at Westminster; is it not essential that employment law and social security are devolved to the Scottish Parliament to allow maximum progress to be made?

Have there been any positive responses to Covid that we would want to keep after the pandemic?

Good morning. I confirm that I am an elected member of West Dunbartonshire Council, and that I was a part-time social care worker until June this year.

Covid-19 has had a negative impact on many in society. I am concerned about its impact on deprived communities and how that may be turbo charged when the UK Government removes the £20 uplift to universal credit later this month. Has Covid-19 made it more difficult for people in deprived communities to access drug services? Is there a concern that the welfare changes will increase that challenge?

Good morning, minister. As I am sure you agree, the reasons for addiction are complex and multifaceted, and we will never address the problem without joint working across all disciplines. Is the Government doing enough to fund effective integrated working that covers health, social work, housing, training and employment?

Yes. I want to take the minister back to the impact of deprivation. We have long been aware of the link between deprivation and drugs. I worry that, while we study that, more avoidable deaths will occur. How do we get the right balance between the risk of analysing the link and getting meaningful data that helps us to respond to the main reasons for the link?