Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has said that Scotland’s poverty-related attainment gap cannot be tackled by schools alone, claiming that UK Government welfare policy is hindering Scotland’s progress. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Roddick pressed the Scottish Government on the measures being implemented to tackle the drivers of poverty. The Cabinet Secretary forContinue reading “Emma Roddick MSP says austerity-led UK Government continues to hinder progress on closing Scotland’s attainment gap”
Tag Archives: poverty
Highlands & Islands MSP highlights contrast between UK and Scottish Government approaches to cost-of-living crisis
SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands Emma Roddick has spoken out in the Scottish Parliament on the differences in the approach being shown by the UK and Scottish Governments in tackling the cost-of-living crisis. Speaking in a debate on the issue, Roddick contrasted the Scottish Government’s raising of the Scottish Child Payment and deliveryContinue reading “Highlands & Islands MSP highlights contrast between UK and Scottish Government approaches to cost-of-living crisis”
Highlands and Islands Cost-of-Living Survey: Emma Roddick MSP shares results
As the Tory Cost of Living Crisis is having devastating consequences across the Highlands and Islands, Emma Roddick MSP put out a cost-of-living survey to better understand how this is affecting constituents. Results from the survey highlighted significant worry and anxiety about rising costs amongst those in the region, with 93% of respondents saying theyContinue reading “Highlands and Islands Cost-of-Living Survey: Emma Roddick MSP shares results”
Highlands MSP says Minimum Income Guarantee will be key in eradicating poverty
SNP MSP Roddick has stated the importance of introducing a minimum income guarantee in Scotland, which would ensure nobody would fall under a set income level. Asking the Scottish Government to provide an update on the work of the Minimum Income Guarantee Steering Group, Roddick stated: “My region has some of the highest poverty levelsContinue reading “Highlands MSP says Minimum Income Guarantee will be key in eradicating poverty”
SNP MSP WARNS OVER ‘ASTRONOMICAL’ COST OF LIVING FOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES IN MOVE TOWARDS NET-ZERO
Emma Roddick has today highlighted the need to find balance in achieving net-zero whilst also not pushing island communities further into fuel poverty. The Highlands and Islands MSP expressed her support for Scottish Government plans to achieve carbon-neutral status in the Isles whilst also sharing concerns on how this could be achieved fairly. Commenting sheContinue reading “SNP MSP WARNS OVER ‘ASTRONOMICAL’ COST OF LIVING FOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES IN MOVE TOWARDS NET-ZERO”
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS MSP: WESTMINSTER ‘TAKING FOOD OUT OF KIDS’ MOUTHS’ WITH BENEFITS CLIFF EDGE
“It’s impossible to leave politics at the door on this” Social Justice and Social Security Committee member Emma Roddick MSP has condemned what she described as the UK Government’s hamstringing of the Scottish Government’s efforts to end child poverty in Scotland. The Highlands and Islands MSP pressed witnesses on the difficulties of a hybrid socialContinue reading “HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS MSP: WESTMINSTER ‘TAKING FOOD OUT OF KIDS’ MOUTHS’ WITH BENEFITS CLIFF EDGE”
EMMA RODDICK MSP: DWP REFUSAL TO SHARE SANCTIONS DATA “FUNDAMENTALLY DISHONEST”
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday [31ST MARCH], Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick backed the call by a cross-party group of MSPs on the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions to share anonymised data on benefits sanctions with a team of University of Glasgow-based researchers. Roddick, who herself has experience of livingContinue reading “EMMA RODDICK MSP: DWP REFUSAL TO SHARE SANCTIONS DATA “FUNDAMENTALLY DISHONEST””
Emma Roddick MSP welcomes 6% increase to social security in Scotland
Emma Roddick MSP for the Highlands and Islands has welcomed the news from that social security payments issued by the Scottish Government will increase by 6% on April 1st. Subject to parliamentary approval, the Job Start Payment, Young Carer’s Grant, Funeral Support, Best Start Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement will increase by 6%. Families inContinue reading “Emma Roddick MSP welcomes 6% increase to social security in Scotland”
SNP MSP criticises Tory Bedroom Tax and “remarkable” low spend on UK housing support
Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has criticised the UK Government’s spend on Discretionary Housing Payments, highlighting that the total spend in England and Wales is only slightly more than what is spent in Scotland, where it is estimated over £71 million is being spent annually to mitigate the Tories’ Bedroom Tax. The SNP MSPContinue reading “SNP MSP criticises Tory Bedroom Tax and “remarkable” low spend on UK housing support”
Highlands & Islands MSP urges Chancellor to do more to tackle cost of living crisis
SNP MSP for the Highlands & Islands, Emma Roddick, has urged the UK Conservative Chancellor to introduce an emergency budget to support families in the face of the rising cost of living. The MSP argued that an emergency budget should include the delivery of a Real Living Wage, a reversal to the Universal Credit cutContinue reading “Highlands & Islands MSP urges Chancellor to do more to tackle cost of living crisis”
Emma Roddick MSP 