The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
A better state: inclusive principles for Scottish welfare
Introduction
Scotland is in a privileged position as we debate our future as a nation. We have a unique opportunity to debate the kind of society we want to see, and the ways in which we might achieve this vision. The future of welfare and the possibility that Scotland could do ‘welfare’ quite differently are key issues in this debate. Everyone is keen to have a say.
The third sector is dealing with the impact of the current reforms pursued by Westminster, compounded by cuts to local services, whilst negative stereotypes continue to be applied
to people who are dependent on benefits and social protection. For these reasons the sector is looking to the future, considering how Scotland might recreate a collective commitment to a refreshed and perhaps radically different welfare system.
This paper attempts to bring some of these ideas together at a strategic level. We hope the sector will respond and add practical detail as to how these principles might work in reality for the groups and individuals they support on a daily basis.
