Posts tagged Policy briefing

Introduction SCVO welcomes the Committee’s call for views on its future work programme and how the Committee itself should undertake its work. At a time when there is a strong public, press and policy focus on Scotland, largely following the substantial engagement in the... Read more

Our response SCVO welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation and would like to contribute the following, based on conversations with our elected policy committee, and with others across our sector and wider civil society. Introduction With new tax powers coming to... Read more

Our response SCVO has, over the past few years, been having a conversation with the third sector about how we can better ‘do’ our economy. SCVO therefore welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation and would like to contribute the following points which have come out... Read more

One year on from the referendum on Scottish independence, Kate Wane reflects on where we are at in terms of third sector policy Read more

Introduction SCVO welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to land reform and increased community ownership of land. It is encouraging to see the Policy Objectives[i] of the Bill referencing empowering people and increased public benefit as key goals of the Bill. The... Read more

Introduction Sadly, SCVO and other third sector organisations find themselves having to brief MPs on further, devastating changes to tax and benefits which will serve to push more people into poverty. Rather than achieving the goal of making work pay, the reforms outlined by the... Read more

Welfare cuts Cuts and changes to tax credits will have a huge impact on families. There are over 290,000 households in Scotland with children who currently receive tax credits, much of which goes to working families on low wages. Benefits for people of working-age will be frozen... Read more

Context and principles The third sector has a clear view about the principles and purpose of social security policy and delivery – these include dignity, holistic support and income adequacy. Yet, the reality is very far from the vision. Charities are already dealing with recent... Read more

Income tax and Gift Aid Gift Aid is a relief on income tax that benefits charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs). Last year Gift Aid provided over £1 billion to the third sector in the UK. Given the sums involved SCVO calls for a specific commitment for Gift Aid to... Read more

Introduction The Community Empowerment Bill has been in development for a number of years and has been subject to a considerable level of consultation and consideration. During this time the Scottish Government, the Local Government and Regeneration Committee and the Rural... Read more