Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security

The Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security (SCoRSS) is a coalition of over 40 key NGOs, faith groups and unions as well as individuals from across Scotland who want to see a fairer social security system.

Our Principles for Change sets out the five principles we believe need to be at the heart of our social security system.

Any interested organisation or individual is welcome to join. Membership is free and simply involves confirming that you agree with the five principles. members are welcome to get involved in the campaign steering group if they have the time and resources to do so.

To join the campaign please contact:

Ruth Boyle, Campaigns & Policy Manager
ruth.boyle@povertyalliance.org
Tel: 0141 353 0440

Briefing – The Balance of Power: The Minimum Income Guarantee and the devolution settlement

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

This seminar included remarks from Professor Nicola McEwen who provided challenge as to the benefits of focusing campaigning and policy advocacy solely on the Scottish Government. An overarching conclusion of the seminar was a desire to ‘focus on Scotland, but not just the Scottish Government’ in the development and implementation of the MIG. You can … Read more

Briefing – Ensuring the Minimum Income Guarantee complements fair work

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

We held a seminar in March 2024 on how the MIG can complement Scotland’s ambitions on fair work. The seminar included inputs from Tony Wilson, Director at the Institute of Employment Studies and Sharon Wright, Professor of Social Policy, University of Glasgow. This session focused on the next steps for fair work policy; the role … Read more

Briefing – Drawing a line under disabled people’s poverty with the Minimum Income Guarantee

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

Evidence relating to disabled people’s poverty is stark. In Scotland, 41% of children living in poverty come from a household containing a disabled adult or child. It is clear then that meeting our child poverty targets will not be possible without addressing disabled people’s poverty. In addition, once the extra costs of disability are taken … Read more

Briefing – Funding the fight against poverty: how do we pay for the Minimum Income Guarantee?

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

A common response to advocacy on the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is “how will we pay for it?” In February 2024, the Poverty Alliance held a seminar focused on the costs of the MIG, and how to fund this critical policy. This was an opportunity to discuss the practicalities of the Scottish Government’s budget, and … Read more

Briefing – A compassionate social security system for unpaid carers: Piloting the Minimum Income Guarantee

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

In the 2023/4 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government outlined a commitment to work with the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) Expert Group “to model a MIG for unpaid carers, the majority of whom are women, and who have been hard hit by the cost of living crisis.” In February 2024, the Poverty Alliance held a … Read more

Report – Executive Summary – Drawing a line under poverty with the Minimum Income Guarantee

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

The Poverty Alliance worked with civil society to build awareness and support for the implementation of a MIG among those working to address poverty in Scotland. This executive summary collates the key findings of the initial phase of that project. We held six in-person seminars across Scotland, with 116 attendees, focused on the immediate next … Read more

Report – Drawing a line under poverty with the Minimum Income Guarantee Oct 2024

By David Eyre | October 29, 2024

The Poverty Alliance were delighted to receive funding from abrdn Financial Fairness Trust to work with Poverty Alliance members and wider civil society to build awareness and support for the implementation of a MIG in Scotland, focusing on the immediate next steps for delivery over the next three years. Through this project, the Poverty Alliance … Read more

Briefing – Challenge Poverty Week 2024 Members’ Debate

By David Eyre | October 22, 2024

This year, our policy asks for Challenge Poverty Week were the basis of our asks for the Programme for Government, and will remain our focus for the Scottish Budget. These policies were formed in collaboration with a short-life working group with representation from public bodies, the private sector, and a variety of third sector organisations … Read more

A stock image of a bus

Briefing – Scottish Parliament Debate on Free Bus Travel for Asylum Seekers

By David Eyre | October 22, 2024

People seeking asylum are among the most vulnerable groups in Scotland. They are prevented from working, housed in hotels or private rental accommodation – often in isolated areas – and given less than £50 per week to survive. Yet, they are too often barred from using the public transport they need to access mandatory appointments, … Read more

A stock image of a child holding building blocks spelling out 'Poverty'

Response – Social Justice Committee Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Child Poverty Act

By David Eyre | October 22, 2024

With the eradication of child poverty the key policy objective of the current Scottish Government, sitting at the centre of the 2024/25 Programme for Government, it is without doubt that the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act has put greater strategic focus on child poverty within this Government’s – and the previous two First Minister’s – priorities … Read more

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