Cathy outlines £50million Hardship Fund Proposal

Labour leadership contender Cathy Jamieson today called for a 'fair deal' for pensioners and other low-income groups.

She has called on the Scottish Government to set up a £50m hardship fund with half the cash coming from cash rich energy companies and half from Departmental under spends in the Scottish Government.

Ms Jamieson said that pensioners were being forgotten by the SNP and she outlined a package of measure that she hopes would better support Scottish pensioners and other low income groups.

The keystone of her approach would be the establishment of a hardship fund created from equal contributions from cash rich energy companies and the Scottish government.

It would be used to protect low income groups from rising fuel prices.

The fund would draw an initial £50 million equally split from the Scottish government and energy companies over the next 12 months years.

Ms Jamieson said:

"The SNP has forgotten Scotland's pensioners.

"The free central heating scheme that helped so many people is now means tested.

"This is shameful from the SNP.

Scotland's older people deserve more than this.

"Alex Salmond is happy to grandstand on fuel prices but won't lift a finger to help hard pressed pensioners and other low income groups.

"I challenge him today to work with the energy companies to create a hardship fund to ensure that during this worldwide fuel crisis that Scots pensioners don't lose out.

"It's vital that Scots are not left with the choice of either heating or eating.

"This modest proposal would provide early help to those worst affected.

"The energy companies have the money and so too does the Scottish Government.

"The SNP could also ensure that any pensioner that wants greater insulation in their homes should get it as part of a drive to make homes in Scotland more fuel efficient.

"The SNP cuts around Scotland are hitting older people hard.

"Charities that run services for the elderly are feeling the pinch of local government funding cuts and SNP local authorities like Fife are charging older people for shopping services and even shamefully emergency alarms.

"The SNP cannot continue to sit and do nothing – it's time for action."


Promoted and Published by Hugh Henry on behalf of Cathy Jamieson, 6 Parkinch, Erskine, PA8 7HZ