Report paints gloomy picture
Hamish Hutchinson • Published 5 Oct 2012 09:00
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MSP Keith Brown claims an independent Scotland would not have made the welfare reforms.
A GLOOMY future of increased crime and disorder, mass unemployment and a rise in poverty is forecast for Clackmannanshire.
The bleak picture is painted in a report to council on the impact of Welfare Reform, public spending cuts and the recession.
It is grim reading with estimates of up to 1000 job losses across the public and private sector.
Already 5266 residents claim housing benefits and 5791 claim Council Tax benefits.
The total amount of benefits claimed by all county residents is £152.1 million.
However, council officers say changes to the benefits system will result in a £14.4 million loss of disposable income to the local economy in 2014/15. That figure is projected to rise to £18.2 million the following year.
Those most affected will be the unemployed, disabled, pensioners, single parents, and those earning in excess of £500 per week.
Officers predict an increase in a "black market" economy with those seeking work taking jobs that pay cash in hand.
The report warns of a "potential increase in crime and social disorder as those with significantly reduced incomes turn to crime to fund their lifestyle".
Changes to the system will cause further administration for the local authority and may increase evictions as families struggle to pay rent and are forced into poverty. The report states that, with a reduction in revenue, this could have a knock on effect for the local authority's house building programme.
The report concludes, "The changes to the benefits system in conjunction with the economic situation results in a need to re-evaluate how the council provides its services, what its priorities are. Preventative work could reduce the demand on services and funding and partnership working might provide solutions to the pressures facing public services over the next few years."
Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks said the Welfare Reform coupled with cuts to public spending caused a "double whammy" for the local economy. He said, "The UK government is using the benefits reform as a deficit reduction tool but because of the economy more pressure will be put on the benefits system as more people are unemployed and more people will be unemployed in the future. The only solution is growth in the economy.
"Reducing the disposable income of people on benefits will hit local businesses as that is where they spend their money. The council and the Scottish Government have got to look at what they can do. Job creation in Scotland is a significant responsibility of the Scottish Government."
He suggested that housing building could both create jobs and boost the economy - with the public and private sector working together.
Clackmannanshire & Dunblane MSP, Keith Brown criticised the UK Government's "economic failure" for "hitting the poorest and most vulnerable groups the hardest".
He added, "An independent Scotland would not have made these decisions to hammer vulnerable people in pursuit of Tory ideology, so it's no wonder the recent British Social Attitudes survey showed that 72 per cent of people want more powers for Scotland. The actions of the Conservatives have shown why these are powers that must come to Scotland and that will only happen with a yes vote in the coming referendum."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 03 Oct 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Eckydoo
Unregistered User
Oct 6, 09:18
Report comment"Officers predict an increase in a "black market" economy with those seeking work taking jobs that pay cash in hand". If thats the case then maybe its a good job that the councils fraud squad are doing such an excelent joab!
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hazelkaye
316 posts
Oct 8, 10:42
Report commentIndeed Eckydoo!
Pity there's not a similar fraud squad at Holyrood weeding out the myriad of tricksters and wheelers and dealers in its midst!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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AlloaYankee
Unregistered User
Oct 8, 18:00
Report commentI think it is a cheap shot by MSP Keith Brown to use this situation to promote Independence. He should, instead, be looking to suggest a way forward. Independence is a separate issue.
He is blaming the Tory Party for these potential problems. Lets not forget that with Independence you may still end up with a Tory party in control. What will he say then?
Recommend? Yes 2
No 1
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Hugh A. Cameron
Unregistered User
Oct 8, 18:01
Report commentall brown from the separatists has to say, Westminster to blame................it wisnae me, what Scotland needs is to rid ourselves of the snp.
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Jaded
Unregistered User
Oct 10, 01:39
Report commentKeith Brown appears to have his wardobe designed and supplied by The Savation Army!!
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charley
Unregistered User
Oct 11, 18:38
Report commentWith regards the comment,(Potential increase in crime as to fund there lifestyle!)Where does that come from?.the so called people you are responding to are disabled,unemployed single parents.You make out like they will all turn to crime to fund there past leisurely lifestyle, these in fact have been on the last rung of a very long ladder which this so called government has just kicked over! and are about to start kicking again when they are already down.It begs why there has not been a full national strike or mass demonstrations with regarding all these cuts.People who are in employment part-time or full time in this country need to take a deep breath because the more this country cuts the more unemployment and no growth in the economy will lead to a 1920s style depression,in the current climate of integration of all nationals from ethnic and European jobs etc etc,you are adding fuel to light a fire of which repercussions will be felt for years!! history is a learning tool not a living one,yet it seems this government is intent in sending us back to Victorian standards of life ie MASTER and SERVANT...wont work people are more inclined to revolt more now!!
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uncommonadvice
2 posts
Oct 13, 19:35
Report commentThere is nothing new here. The Wee County has been an unemployment hotspot for at least the last 25 years and in that time have we ever seen a councillor welcome a new factory to the County? Have we ever seen a councillor petition the government to have corporation tax lowered in the county to attract inward investment. Nope - but I can remember a councillor trying to twin us with Ullan Bator a few years back.
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N20LOR
Unregistered User
Oct 14, 11:35
Report commentIs it not the case that all of us, including benefit recipients, have been living beyond our means these past couple of decades? Those in work have borrowed well above their ability to pay and those not in work have become too reliant on handouts? When Beveridge designed the welfare state, it was on the basis that when you worked you paid into a scheme that would provide you with a degree of protection should bad times befall you. The scheme also meant you paid for health & pensions. What's happened is that those IN work have ended up paying through the nose for those who have taken advantage of 'the system'for years and who have neither the inclination or self-reliance to work. While I consider we all have a social responsibility to assist those who are less fortunate than ourselves, I also firmly believe those who are able but not willing to pay into the system, shouldn't expectthe rest of us to pay for their flat screen tellies and mobile phones!
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Jaded
Unregistered User
Nov 11, 01:23
Report comment"A GLOOMY future of increased crime and disorder, mass unemployment and a rise in poverty is forecast for Clackmannanshire."
That has pretty much been the state of Clackmannanshire, as far back as I can remember, so this is not news!!!
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