Sandra Osborne commented on YES Scotland’s selective quoting from Sheffield Halam University’s research on impact of welfare reform on Scotland
“The evidence presented to the Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform Committee bears out everything Labour has been saying about the impact of the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition's welfare cuts. The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research Sheffield Hallam University has an excellent record on social and economic analysis and their evidence should be listened to. For some reason the ‘Yes Campaign’ doesn't mention one of the key findings of this research - It states:
‘Although the financial losses are very large, the scale of the loss in Scotland, measured per adult of working age, is broadly on a par with the GB average. Overall, the welfare reforms hit Scotland less than northern England or Wales, but more than much of southern England. Within Scotland, however, the local authorities covering the poorest areas are hit hardest. As a general rule, the more deprived the local authority, the greater the financial hit.’
It goes on: ‘Several of Scotland’s older industrial areas, in particular, are hit especially hard." - something we know only too well locally. Labour has launched its campaign 'United with Labour' because we believe that a 'NO' to independence has to be based on a vision of a UK with social justice and fairness at its core - Labour's vision for Scotland and the UK. Our fight isn't with England. It's with social injustice and that crosses all borders. That is borne out by the findings of this research.”
ends
“The evidence presented to the Scottish Parliament Welfare Reform Committee bears out everything Labour has been saying about the impact of the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition's welfare cuts. The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research Sheffield Hallam University has an excellent record on social and economic analysis and their evidence should be listened to. For some reason the ‘Yes Campaign’ doesn't mention one of the key findings of this research - It states:
‘Although the financial losses are very large, the scale of the loss in Scotland, measured per adult of working age, is broadly on a par with the GB average. Overall, the welfare reforms hit Scotland less than northern England or Wales, but more than much of southern England. Within Scotland, however, the local authorities covering the poorest areas are hit hardest. As a general rule, the more deprived the local authority, the greater the financial hit.’
It goes on: ‘Several of Scotland’s older industrial areas, in particular, are hit especially hard." - something we know only too well locally. Labour has launched its campaign 'United with Labour' because we believe that a 'NO' to independence has to be based on a vision of a UK with social justice and fairness at its core - Labour's vision for Scotland and the UK. Our fight isn't with England. It's with social injustice and that crosses all borders. That is borne out by the findings of this research.”
ends