Working with Parliament

We use the parliamentary process, both in Westminster and Holyrood, for the benefit of the CAB Service and its clients.  Much of this involves taking the social policy issues raised by the CAB Service to the politicians, in order to achieve change. 

“I would like to praise the work of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provide such a marvelous service."
Stewart Maxwell MSP

“The Government greatly values the work Citizens Advice Scotland and individual Citizens Advice Bureaux carry out in major areas such as debt, welfare rights and employment.”
Anne McGuire MP

Drowning in Debt Motion

By working with parliament we can raise the profile of issues, examine the Government’s activity and where required, call for change. For example, in November of 2009 Jackie Baillie MSP put forward a motion for debate based on the findings of our report Drowning in Debt . During the debate the Scottish CAB service was consistently praised for both the work of the bureaux and, according to Jackie Baillie, for playing “a vitally important role in helping (MSPs) to shape social policy”. You can read the transcript of the debate here: www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports

Members Bill Proposal - The Enforcement of Local Tax Arrears (Scotland) Bill

CAS has been working closely with John Wilson MSP in relation to the above Bill which seeks to bring local authorities debt collection practice into line with other creditors and end the system of summary warrants for local taxes, allowing people the right to challenge debts in court.

The Bill aims to:-

• Reduce the time that a local authority has to establish that a debt is due from twenty years to five years – bringing them into line with ordinary creditors – and reduce the collection period thereafter, from twenty years to five years
• Ending local authorities’ use of summary warrants for the collection of local taxes.  Instead, local authorities will have to apply to the court for a decree to enforce such debts, allowing a debtor the right to appear and challenge the claim

CAS has produced a briefing, outlining our evidence on the problems that the twenty year collection period has for our clients, which can be found here: Community Charge and Council Tax: Collection Periods

If you would like to help our campaign you can respond to the consultation which asks a series of questions.  Responses need not be hugely detailed or contain lots of new information, but every response received will help tip the balance of the argument. The deadline for responses is 10 June 2010. Responses should be e-mailed to: Lesley-Anne.Boyle@scottish.parliament.uk and should be sent by post to:-Lesley-Anne Boyle, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

You can also contact your own local MSPs and ask them for their support for this bill. You can send your letter by email or by post to Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP. You can find out who your local MSP is by going to www.writetothem.com

SCoWR Manifesto

The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR), a coalition of over 40 key Scottish charities including Citizens Advice Scotland, is calling on leaders of all the main political parties to support their SCoWR Manifesto. The coalition is calling for the following key reforms:

• Increase benefit rates to a level where no one is left in poverty and all have sufficient income to lead a dignified life
• Make respect for human rights and dignity the cornerstone of a new approach to welfare
• Radically simplify the welfare system
• Invest in the support needed to enable everyone to participate fully in society
• Make welfare benefits in Scotland, suitable for Scotland.

The Home Owner & Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill 

The Home Owner & Debtor Protection Bill has been passed by the Scottish Government, with the inclusion of some “hard fought for’ amendments by CAS. These amendments, proposed by CAS and adopted by the Scottish Government, will ensure that clients can access the new certificated route into bankruptcy if they meet the criteria as a question of fact, rather than based on the opinion of a money adviser.

CAS has supported the Bill at every stage in the process; by giving evidence to the Local Government and Communities committee, briefing MSPs on the Committee and key MSPs at every stage of debate in parliament. These discussions were extremely influential in getting the amendments through and CAS was referenced on numerous occasions and quoted extensively in the debates.  Other benefits of the Bill include the assurance that only secured creditors can be excluded from protected trust deeds and that a debtor’s dwelling house can also be excluded if creditors agree. CAS’ work will continue with Ministers and civil servants in relation to the Bill’s implementation.

To find out more about what we’ve been doing our Social Policy Success. To find out more about our parliamentary work, contact us.  To be kept informed of our parliamentary work, sign up for e-mail updates.