News / Welfare ammunition
NORTHERN isles MP Alistair Carmichael has promised to argue Shetland’s corner with the government over the impact of welfare reform.
Carmichael met with Shetland Islands Council on Thursday to hear how 170 households could lose up to £20 a week from the bedroom tax alone.
He promised to take figures compiled by the council over the next three months to the Department of Work and Pensions to ensure the impact of welfare reform on islanders is minimised.
He said he would look at how the discretionary housing fund is calculated, would examine the effect on rural areas and keep a close eye on the way claimants are assessed as being fit for work.
SIC convener Malcolm Bell said the council would try to provide him with all the ammunition he needed to demand changes that would make a big difference in the isles without costing much to the government.
Meanwhile a study by Sheffield Hallam University has shown that Shetland will be the least affected by welfare reform in Scotland.
While the average Shetland claimant will be £270 worse off every year, people in Glasgow, the worst hit area, would lose £650.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.