Brown admits "Vow" has not been delivered

FORMER PM SAYS TORIES “FALLING SHORT” EVEN ON SMITH PROPOSALS
As we approach the anniversary of the ‘Vow’, the SNP is today highlighting new comments from Gordon Brown – who has admitted that the pledge to the people of Scotland has not been delivered by the Westminster parties.

In extracts from his evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary for Reform, Decentralisation and Devolution in the UK, Mr Brown – a key architect of the Vow – says that the UK Government is “…falling short on the delivery of the recommendations of the Smith Commission on Scottish Devolution”.

Gordon Brown’s admission comes as a new poll shows support for independence continuing to grow – the second poll in a week to show support for Yes ahead of support for No.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani – who represented the SNP on the Smith Commission – said:

"When even Gordon Brown – a key architect of the 'Vow' – admits it has not been fulfilled, it is time for the UK Government to sit up and listen.

“During the General Election, the people of Scotland spoke loudly and clearly in favour of substantial new powers for Scotland – but the UK Government’s Scotland Bill does not even deliver on the limited powers set out on the Smith Commission. No wonder people in Scotland are questioning Westminster’s ability to represent Scotland at all.

“That Gordon Brown and the Labour party played a key role in this bogus promise to people in Scotland – and campaigned side by side with the Tories throughout the referendum – will continue to haunt them until next year’s Scottish Parliament election and beyond.

"The fact that the powers promised have not been delivered means it is no surprise support for independence has risen – and it will continue to rise for as long as Scotland's voice is ignored by an arrogant, out of touch Tory Government we didn't vote for."

New Figures Reveal 400% Increase in Foodbank Use Last Year

GRIM REALITY OF WESTMINSTER CUTS
Figures from the Trussell Trust showing that the number of people using their foodbanks has increased by 400% in Scotland have been described as a demonstration of the grim reality of Westminster’s cuts.

The figures show that in 2012/13 Scottish foodbanks provided help to 14,318 people, but in 2013/14 that figure had increased by 400% to 71,428.

Of those people in Scotland using foodbanks last year, 22,387 - more than 30% - were children.

The Trussell Trust cites benefit changes, benefit delays and low income as the key causes of people in Scotland seeking support from their foodbanks.

At SNP Conference on Friday, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a £1 million package of support for foodbanks that will help them to provide the support that many people are now relying upon.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani who sits on the Welfare Reform Committee said:

“It is an absolute disgrace that in a country as wealthy as Scotland, Westminster’s actions have forced over 70,000 people in Scotland to rely on foodbanks to survive.

“It is the grim reality of Westminster’s cuts that has seen foodbank use increase by 400% in the last year alone.

“It doesn’t have to be this way and the referendum in September gives Scotland the chance to do things differently.

“While Westminster’s cuts are forcing people to rely on foodbanks, the Scottish Government is doing what it can to mitigate Westminster’s actions. That is why the SNP Government has announced a £1 million package of support for foodbanks.

“Yet what Scotland really needs is the responsibility for our own decisions on tax and welfare so that people are no longer forced to rely upon foodbanks.

“With a Yes vote in September, we will be able to ensure that Scotland’s tax and welfare system reflect the priorities of people in Scotland and does not let people down as Westminster has so disgracefully done.”

Household Bills Rocket While Council Tax Remains Frozen

NEW FIGURES SHOW HIKE OF UP TO 61% IN HOUSEHOLD BILLS
Household bills have risen as much as 61 per cent at the same time as the Council Tax has remained frozen in Scotland, new figures have revealed.

Between 2007 and 2012 - while Council Tax bills have remained static in Scotland thanks to the SNP - household energy bills have increased on average by 61.1%. Meanwhile, the cost of petrol has gone up by 44.7% and average food costs have risen 37.5%.

Gross median weekly pay, on the other hand, has only risen 9.0% since in the same period. Since 2010 wages have actually fallen in the UK by 5.5%, the fourth worst fall out of the EU’s 27 countries.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, who sits on the Welfare Reform Committee, said:

“With so many households facing the pressure of rising bills, it's an enormous relief for people to know that their Council Tax bill will not rise under the SNP.

“While bills that the Scottish Government have presently no control over; heating, electricity, petrol and food have all risen sharply – including energy bills rocketing by 61% which hit the poorest and most vulnerable in Scotland the hardest - people's Council Tax bills have not risen by a single penny under the SNP.

“The Council Tax freeze has provided a welcome boost for those struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, but with independence we can do even more.

“Only a Yes vote in next year’s referendum will give the Scottish Parliament full control of job creation, taxation, welfare and energy policy in an independent Scotland, with which we can reduce inequality and work to ease these financial pressures faced by households across Scotland."

Victims of Westminster's Bedroom Tax Targeted by Labour Council

Vulnerable families have been targeted by Labour-run South Lanarkshire council and threatened out of their homes because they can't pay westminster's bedroom tax.

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In a report in today's Daily Record, the Labour council reportedly hand-delivered the letters - with one woman terrified she will "end up on the street" as the effects of the Tory-LibDem policy surface only one month after it was introduced.

Commenting, SNP MSP for East Kilbride Linda Fabiani, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee, said:

“All councils run by the SNP have promised not to evict anyone subject to the bedroom tax if they take all reasonable steps to repay arrears.

“South Lanarkshire Council are failing to support the most disadvantaged people in our society.

"Instead of helping and supporting Scotland's most vulnerable people, Labour-run South Lanarkshire council is acting quickly to target and evict them - its disgraceful.

"To claim this was a mistake on behalf of the council is also deeply worrying - they are basically saying they have caused so much worry and panic because of an error.

"We know that there has been a 338 per cent leap in the number of people applying for emergency handouts in the month since this devastating Tory tax was imposed.

"Despite 90% of Scottish MPs voting against this tax, it has still been imposed. That is why we need a Yes vote on September 18th next year.

"An SNP government in an independent Scotland will scrap the bedroom tax."

Plans for New Lords Will See Voters in Scotland Elect Under 4% of Westminster

Plans to create at least 80 new life peers will mean that the Scottish public is responsible for electing fewer than 4% of Westminster parliamentarians.

Despite the election manifestos of the three largest Westminster parties on reform of the House of Lords, the proposals are expected to take membership of the House of Lords from 760 to at least 840, meaning that the Scottish electorate is responsible for electing just 3.95% of decision makers at Westminster.

There are already 110 more unelected Lords than there are MPs and 701 more unelected Lords than there are MPs from Scottish constituencies.

The SNP does not take seats in the House of Lords because of its undemocratic and anachronistic nature. The only other country in the world with an unelected second chamber is Lesotho.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said:

“If these ludicrous plans go ahead, it will make a bad situation even more farcical. It is completely unjustifiable for Westminster to still be operating an unelected and undemocratic second chamber in this day and age.

“A situation where people in Scotland are only able to elect fewer than 4% of the parliamentarians at Westminster is an insult to democracy.

“It is hugely embarrassing for the three biggest Westminster parties as they are all set to abandon their manifesto commitments on Lords reform and instead make Westminster even more undemocratic.

“How on earth can they square their previous statements with plans to create a swathe of new unelected Lords?

“Decisions affecting Scotland should be made by people 100% elected in Scotland and these moves make completely clear that this will only be achieved with a Yes vote for an independent Scotland in 2014."

Referendum Milestone Reached with Unanimous Agreement to Section 30 Order

A key milestone on the path towards the referendum on an independent Scotland was reached today as the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee at Holyrood unanimously approved powers to allow the referendum to be staged.

The agreement to the use of a Section 30 order is intended to put the referendum beyond effective legal challenge, to ensure that it is the people of Scotland rather than the courts who will decide the future of Scotland.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani who sits on the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee said:

“Today’s agreement marks an important milestone on the journey towards the referendum and I was extremely pleased that agreement was reached on a unanimous, cross-party basis.

“This latest progress on the road to the referendum matters as it allows us to move from discussing the process of the referendum to the substance of the debate.

“We are making the positive case for an independent Scotland that protects and builds upon the substantial progress that has been made since the Scottish Parliament was re-established in 1999.

“It is inescapably true that the people who are best placed to make decisions affecting Scotland are people in Scotland, who by definition have the greatest stake in what happens here.

“Only a Yes vote in 2014 will allow us to make the decisions on the biggest issues affecting Scotland and I am looking forward to making the case for those powers between now and 2014.”

Wall Street Journal Scotches Subsidy Junkie Myth

The SNP today welcomed reports in the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch website which adds more weight to the case for Scottish independence and further discredits the anti-independence parties’ efforts.

This follows news that the majority of oil companies are unconcerned by the result of the independence referendum.

The Wall Street Journal Website says: “There is now little dispute that Scotland on its own can be a viable economy.”

And continues: "The claim that a penurious Scotland is a subsidy junkie has already been proved a myth."

Welcoming the reports, Linda Fabiani, SNP MSP and Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Scotland Bill Committee, submitted a motion on the report.

She said:

“More and more informed opinions across the world recognise that Scotland can stand on its own two feet - the case for Scotland is strengthening all the time.

“Scotland is country rich in natural resources, big on skills, attractive to foreign investors and a world leader in renewable energy.

“As the Wall Street Journal points out, it is objectively the case that Scotland pays more in taxes to the UK Treasury than it receives in expenditure.

“The longer that the anti-independence parties continue to talk Scotland down, the further they will alienate themselves from the people of Scotland.”