Siobhan McMahon MSP supports Coalition of Carers in Scotland’s New Year’s Resolution

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has supported Coalition of Carers in Scotland’s New Year’s Resolution to ensure that carers across the country get the support they need and that their rights are enshrined in the Carer’s Bill.

Scottish Labour is committed to stopping the postcode lottery of support and services for carers and agree that they should have the right to support based on a National Framework.  This commitment was reaffirmed by our pledge to give the Care Inspectorate the authority over carers’ services and support.    

Ms McMahon said:

“It is vital that the 66802 carers in Central Scotland have the same access to support as every other carer in Scotland, that is why I support the Coalition of Carers in Scotland’s calls to have the right to support for carers based on a National Framework. The SNP need to ensure that their Carer’s Bill is not just kind words but ensures that carers have the right to support and services. Too often they are forgotten and taken for granted; they deserve our support and appreciation.”

 Carers’ Champion Clare Lally said: 

“As Carers’ Champion, I know the struggle that many of my fellow carers face trying to get the support they need to carry on caring. It is a simple ask to have a right to support, regardless of where you live in the country. ”

“Currently in Scotland, the support carers receive depends on their Local Authority provision. This situation cannot continue, which is why I hope the SNP government supports the Coalition of Carers in Scotland New Year’s Resolution. This will empower carers to demand the support they are entitled to.”

New Year’s Message from the National Carer Organisations: 

This calls on the government to improve the lives of carers in 2015 by taking up their New Year’s Resolution:

Siobhan McMahon MSP Backs ‘Cut out the Cold’ Campaign

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has backed the Turn 2 Us ‘Cut out the Cold’ campaign. The campaign focuses on the problems experienced by low income families living in cold homes, the impact it has on the health and wellbeing of children and the support and information offered by the charity.

From 14 January – 14 February 2015, anyone struggling with rising energy costs can use Turn2us’ free tools and information to see how they can increase their household income and manage their energy costs. These include checking welfare benefits entitlement, searching for grants and schemes to help with bills, and getting help with managing debt.

Ms McMahon said: “I’m happy to be able to support this important campaign. New research by Turn 2 Us has shown that 77% of low income families in Scotland struggled with their energy bills last year which is simply unacceptable. This can have real negative effects on children’s health and wellbeing.

“Worryingly, one in six families are considering pay day loans to cover the costs they are unable to meet. This campaign is vital in raising awareness of the help that is available to people and I pay tribute to Turn 2 Us for all their hard work.

“The Scottish Government needs to take action on this and Nicola Sturgeon would do well to back Labour’s plan for an energy price freeze while we reform the energy market rather than her own plan of giving a massive tax cut to the big energy companies.”

Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us said: “More people than ever before are worried about finding the money to pay for their energy bills. People have no option but to cut back on essentials and borrow money. It’s alarming that for the first time in a decade, over one million families are struggling in fuel poverty, and at the same time the poorest fifth of households have seen the amount they spend on energy leap up.  With cold homes affecting children’s health and even their attainment at school, they risk being caught in a cycle of poverty as they grow up.

“We need to see more done to help raise awareness of the financial support and help available to manage energy bills. That is why we have launched our Cut out the Cold campaign, to ensure that struggling families get the help they need this winter. With household costs continuing to rise, the effects on family finances could be felt for some time. It is vital that people on low incomes are not left behind.”

• Low income families classed as households with annual incomes under £25,000 and less before tax and deductions
• National survey of 2,060 adults with household income under £25,000 carried out in November 2014. Results were then analysed by region
• Families make up 45% of households in fuel poverty – Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) 2014
• One million families experiencing fuel poverty: Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics Report – DECC 2014
• Turn2us helps people experiencing financial hardship to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help for free – online, by phone and face to face through their partner organisations
• The Turn2us free, accessible website – turn2us.org.uk is designed to help people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, charitable grants and other help
• Turn2us is part of Elizabeth Finn Care