PRESS RELEASE

14^thOctober 2011

In the run up to the Edinburgh Hardest Hit Protest on October 22^nd, Cardinal Keith O’Brien has offered his support to Campaign for a Fair Society.  The Cardinal said “I am very aware of the concern being expressed regarding the proposed changes to the welfare system (Welfare Reform Bill) and the potential impacts on individuals in receipt of benefits.”   The Campaign for a Fair Society says that that 25% of the Government’s cuts will fall on the 3% of the population that is most vulnerable – making them the Hardest Hit.  

Cardinal O’Brien went on to say

“While there is a general acceptance of the need of the system to be reformed, those concerns highlight the danger of many genuinely vulnerable individuals being made more vulnerable and placed at risk. In particular I am conscious that those with disabilities have particular concerns that over time they will see a reduction in the overall value of their benefits, as well as reduced access to social care services. For many, they are particularly worried that a loss of Disability Living Allowance will mean a loss of their independence altogether.

The role of the Catholic Church in this situation is not to take political sides or support particular policies. It is however, to draw attention to our commitment to the Common Good which encourages us to give particular attention to the needs of those who are most vulnerable. This commitment has at its heart the understanding that how we organise society directly affects human dignity and the ability of individuals to grow in community.”

Concerned about the impact of the impending welfare reforms he added,

“I therefore urge all those involved in policy making, and those working on behalf of those who are affected by these benefit changes, to work together to strive for a welfare system that has the Common Good at its heart, one that is just, fair and compassionate, for the moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members as pointed out in the pastoral letter "Economic Justice for All":

Cardinal Keith O'Brien is the only living Scottish Cardinal and Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh of the Roman Catholic Church.  He is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland  and heads its Conference of Bishops.

Norma Curran, Scottish Coordinator of the Campaign for A Fair Society, said, “We really welcome the support of the Cardinal.  It is very important that all parts of civil society cooperate to change the Coalition’s policies.  Their current plans are that 25% of the cuts will fall on the 3% of the population that is most vulnerable.    Hopefully with the support of people like the Cardinal we can begin to change this.”

 Ends

Notes

The Campaign for a Fair Societystarted on 8^thFebruary 2011 and has now spread across Scotland, England and Wales. More than 50 Scottish charities, 100 UK charities, several influential individuals and approximately 1,500 members of the public have already signed up to it.

CfFS is not just another anti-cuts campaign, but it promotes positive principles for a fair welfare reform. It campaigns for:

• A commitment to human rights
• A commitment to make the right to support an objective right established in law
• A commitment to provide families and individuals with early support
• A commitment to put people back in control of their own lives
• A commitment to good housing
• A commitment to a guaranteed minimum income free from means-testing
• A commitment to end the current super-tax on older and disabled people levied through local authority charges

Note

For more live comment from Scottish Campaign spokespersons please call:

Norma Curran, Values Into Action Scotland, 0141 880 9055 or 07806 282993.

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