The Scottish Government’s Child Disability Payment is now open for applications across Scotland. It replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and marks a major milestone in the foundation of Social Security Scotland. Those who currently receive Disability Living Allowance for children from the DWP will also be transferred to Social Security Scotland. They will […]
The SNP’s Disabilities spokesperson has described the UK government’s Health and Disability Green Paper as “long overdue but still lacking real ambition” to support those with disabilities and long-term illnesses. Marion Fellows MP has said the Green Paper fails to address key issues affecting disabled people in the UK social security system including benefit sanctions, […]
Following Boris Johnson’s announcement on statutory sick pay at Prime Minister’s questions, SNP MP Marion Fellows has urged the UK government to go further and extend the policy. Today Boris Johnson announced that workers who are forced to take sick leave will get statutory sick pay from the first day of their absence, instead of […]
I am glad that statutory sick pay will be available from day one – not day four – so people do not present at work and risk spreading coronavirus. I hope this policy will remain permanent so that workers with all illnesses are able to take the time off they need to recover. This will […]
FULL STORY HERE. The complete figures of 6,850 assessment reports tampered with in the space of two years by auditors who weren’t even present for the assessment is truly shocking. There must be an immediate and independent review into this staggering practice. This blindfolded decision making undermines the whole process and will impact heavily on […]
LOCAL MP WELCOMES FIGURES SHOWING NORTH LANARKSHIRE SECOND MOST LOCAL AUTHORTY TO BENEFIT FROM GROUND-BREAKING NEW CARERS ALLOWANCE SUPPLEMENT Recent figures have revealed that North Lanarkshire carers were the second biggest recipient of the SNP Scottish Government’s Carers Allowance Supplement (CAS) with £6m being paid out since April 2018. The CAS provides carers with £226.20 […]
FULL STORY: ‘Immigration: No visas for low-skilled workers, government says’ So many people and our public services rely on workers from the EU who will not meet the conditions of the UK Government’s hostile environment. Particularly, our elderly and disabled people rely on those 70,000 EU workers in the UK care sector. Are those most […]
As the SNP’s spokesperson for Disabilities, I’m backing Axe the Reading Tax in their campaign and call on the UK Government to end this unfair 20% tax on eBooks and audiobooks that disproportionately impacts disabled people. Some disabled people need eBooks and audiobooks in order to access and enjoy the things that most of us take for […]
FULL STORY: ‘Fury as ‘secret’ DWP checks see benefits claims marked down’ It is concerning that thousands of health reports are being tampered with each year by people who weren’t even present for the assessment. There must be a complete halt to audits and an inquiry into the UK Government’s rigged health assessments. DWP auditors, […]
Our young carers today deserve our recognition for their challenging role in caring for loved ones. The care they provide is essential for many people with disabilities whom they care for. We must ensure that they get the support they need to not only care for loved ones, but also ensure they are able to […]