Billy McAllister: SNP are shielding Glasgow from Welfare Reform Act cuts

The welfare reform brought in by the Tory/Lib Dem coalition that is going on at present and further cuts planned over the next few years are attacking the most vulnerable, elderly and disabled population of this country and will burden those who can afford it least.

83,000 people in Glasgow claim both council tax and housing benefit therefore the restriction of Housing Benefit entitlement for social housing tenants whose accommodation is larger than they need will be asked to pay a contribution towards their homes.

This will hit hard single parents whose children may only stay at weekends and school holidays, and parents who have lived in their home and brought up a family and whose children have now flown the nest.

The freezing of child benefit and the changes to income support benefit allowing parents to be at home for their children up to the age of 7, now reduced to 5, has an impact on society if these parents, particularly single parents, are forced to go out to work.

Childcare provision is patchy at best in Glasgow with private nursery places too expensive to even consider if you are on minimum wage.

The recent SNP manifesto pledge for Glasgow to have increased hours in a nursery for 3 and 4 year olds is a welcome part of the document.

It's about time Labour in Glasgow stopped criticising the SNP and worked for Glasgow and Scotland together with the SNP to bring jobs, help for pensioners, our children and hard working families to prosper as the largest city in Scotland.