Motion
Delivering Record Social Security Investment in Scotland to Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis and Inequality
S6M-12079.2 · Amendment · lodged by Balfour, Jeremy
Lodged on
06 Feb 2024Heard / answered on
07 Feb 2024Watch the chamber session on SPTV · lands on the meetings recorded on 07 Feb 2024
As an amendment to motion S6M-12079 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (Delivering Record Social Security Investment in Scotland to Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis and Inequality), leave out from "; welcomes" to end and insert ", but notes with extreme concern that the Scottish Fiscal Commission reports that, by 2027-28, the Scottish Government will need to find an additional £1.3 billion in spending from within the Scottish Budget for these demand-led payments; understands that the Social Security Scotland agency is set to cost taxpayers in Scotland £322 million in operational costs in 2024-25, which is 130% higher than spending in 2020-21; acknowledges that these benefits were first promised to be fully devolved to Scottish control by 2020, but that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently had to agree to extend the agency agreements to continue to assist and support the Scottish Government until 2026 as Social Security Scotland is, to date, unable to handle the full caseload; notes that these devolved benefits have not been significantly changed from the DWP criteria and that the promised review of adult disability payments may not be published until August 2025; acknowledges the disappointment from the third sector that the dedicated Minister for Equalities and Older People post was removed in March 2023, and backs the calls from Age Scotland and 15 partner agencies for this to be reinstated to ensure a targeted focus on tackling inequality, and welcomes the announcement by the UK Government that the third instalment of its Cost of Living Payment will be paid later in February 2024, benefitting more than 680,000 people across Scotland and totalling up to £900 paid to eligible households on means-tested benefits, and directly helping tackle the cost of living crisis and inequality equally across the UK."
Lodged by
Balfour, Jeremy
alone — no additional MSPs have signed on.
Amendment division result
07 Feb 2024
Defeated
Show MSPs
For
30Against
85Abstain
0Not voted
14In the Official Report
Debated in chamber — 4 contributions reference this
-
Jeremy Balfour
Con
Chamber
· 07 Feb 2024 · Meeting of the Parliament 07 February 2024
I ask the cabinet secretary to reflect in closing that the August 2025 date came from her press release. That is the date that the Government has set. I am aware that the SNP will accuse me of being…
-
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Chamber
· 07 Feb 2024 · Meeting of the Parliament 07 February 2024
There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jeremy Balfour is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Paul O’Kane will …
-
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Chamber
· 07 Feb 2024 · Meeting of the Parliament 07 February 2024
I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jeremy Balfour is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Paul O’Kane will fall. We come to the vote on amendment S6M-12079.2, in the name of J…
-
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Chamber
· 07 Feb 2024 · Meeting of the Parliament 07 February 2024
The result of the division on amendment S6M-12079.2, in the name of Jeremy Balfour, is: For 30, Against 85, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to.
Amendments and how the chamber decided
-
S6M-12079Original motion05 Feb 2024 · Motion For Debate · Somerville, Shirley-AnneThat the Parliament believes that social security plays a vital role in tackling poverty and reducing economic and social inequalities, and that the Scottish social security system must have dignity, fairness and respect at its heart; welcomes the Scottish Government’s record investment of £6.3 billion in social security expenditure in 2024-25...
-
S6M-12079.2Selected itemDefeated 30/8506 Feb 2024 · Amendment · Balfour, JeremyAs an amendment to motion S6M-12079 in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville (Delivering Record Social Security Investment in Scotland to Tackle the Cost of Living Crisis and Inequality), leave out from "; welcomes" to end and insert ", but notes with extreme concern that the Scottish Fiscal Commission reports that, by 2027-28, the Scottish Government will ...