MCALPINE WELCOMES FUNDING BOOST TO FIGHT BEDROOM TAX IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

The Scottish Government has pledged £20 million to boost Discretionary Housing Payments in local authorities across Scotland, to provide the most help possible to people affected by the Bedroom Tax. This will see Dumfries and Galloway Council benefit to the tune of £977,596 – taking funding for Discretionary Housing Payments in Dumfries and Galloway to the legal maximum.

Shelter Scotland led the way in campaigning for an additional £20 million to top up Discretionary Housing Payments and have publicly welcomed the funding from the Scottish Government.

Commenting, Ms McAlpine said:

“The Bedroom Tax is an horrendous policy that should never have made it off the drawing board of the Tories in Westminster. It is utterly unfair and is devastating the lives of people across Scotland who have no way to avoid the financial penalties Westminster has imposed.

“The Scottish Government is doing what it can, with £20 million recently announced to boost Discretionary Housing Payments to help people in financial trouble across Scotland.

“That will mean an additional £977,596 to help people in Dumfries and Galloway and comes on top of the Scottish Government’s broader £68 million package to mitigate Westminster’s welfare cuts.

“Of course while these efforts to mitigate the worst effects of Westminster’s welfare cuts are welcome, Scotland should not be in the position of simply having to clean up Westminster’s mess.

“A Yes vote in next year’s referendum will be a vote to end the Bedroom Tax and ensure that nothing like it can be imposed on Scotland by a Westminster Government ever again.”

Notes: Shelter Scotland’s calls for £20 million to top up Discretionary Housing Payments can be viewed at http://www.thebedroomtaxmonster.co.uk/what-do-we-want