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 in [...]

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 MSP [...]

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 cut [...]

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has called for the views of local organisations as part of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee's inquiry into debt in Scotland.  A member of the committee herself, she is keen to make sure that Highland voices are heard to give a "complete view" of the issues so that good [...]

Emma Roddick MSP SNP MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed new figures showing that low income households in the Highlands and Islands have been supported by £9,415,350 in financial support from the Scottish Government. Households in the Highlands and Islands have received £4,455,980 from Low Income Pandemic Payments and £4,959,370 from Bridging Payments that support families [...]

SNP MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the news that Shetland will receive £5,899 from the Scottish Government to support care experienced families or children who are on the edges of care, in addition to the £41m provided through the Winter Support Fund. Commenting, Roddick said: “Many children across Shetland who are on the edges of [...]

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick has highlighted the positive changes implemented by the Scottish Government to the assessment process for Adult Disability Payment, which will replace the Personal Independence Payment for Scottish claimants in Spring 2022. Commenting, Roddick said: “It is universally acknowledged by key stakeholders, such as Scottish Association for Mental Health, [...]

Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has expressed her delight in regards to vital funding support that will be available in next year’s Scottish Budget, including the Welfare Fund and the Discretionary Housing Payment. This is a part of the 2022-2023 Scottish Government Annual Budget announcement and includes ambitious plans to be implemented to make [...]

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new rollout of the Child Disability Payment which will help with financial support for families of children with a disability. For the first time anywhere in the UK, disability benefit applicants can apply for Child Disability Payment online, as well as by phone, [...]

Speaking in a parliamentary debate on addressing issues with take-up of social security benefits, Emma Roddick MSP highlighted the work of a number of organisations across the Highlands and Islands that are working to end food poverty and noted the importance of person-centred, humane approaches in the Scottish Government’s benefit take-up strategy. Roddick said: “As [...]