The SNP Campaign Conference in Aviemore has today condemned Labour plans to scrap Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s and Attendance Allowance across the UK - in order to fund a new care service for England.

Addressing delegates at the SNP's spring conference, SNP Work and Pensions Spokesman John Mason MP warned that the UK Government's proposal would impact on 145,000 eldery people in Scotland, push 58,000 vulnerable Scots into poverty and adversely affect carers looking after those in receipt of the allowance.

The conference passed a resolution by acclaim to resist these proposed changes to Attendance Allowance and called on MPs from all parties to unite against them.

Speaking after the resolution was passed, Mr Mason said: "Labour's plans ignore Scotland completely.  This proposal is entirely focussed on England with no attention paid to the consequences in Scotland.

"It is inconceivable that instead of tackling poverty Labour are planning to push 58,000 Scots - some of our most vulnerable residents - into poverty and remove funding from a further 145,000.

"This is a clear sign of how little the UK Labour Government considers its impact on Scotland and in particular on vulnerable Scots.

"Attendance Allowance offers essential support to many of Scotland's elderly and disabled residents and helps Scotland's carers.  To get rid of this valuable benefit would be a hammer blow to elderly and disabled Scots.

"The most vulnerable people in Scotland need local champions at Westminster to fight against these devastating changes. Only a strong block of SNP MPs will speak up against these disastrous proposals. More Nats means less cuts."

Note:

A copy of the resolution can be found here:

Pensioner Poverty

The SNP condemns proposals by the Labour Party to scrap Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s and Attendance Allowance across the UK to pay for a new care service in England. Conference warns that the Labour Government proposal could see 58,000 vulnerable Scots plunged into poverty, that 145,000 elderly people in Scotland will be affected by the removal of Attendance Allowance and notes independent assessments suggest 40% of those receiving Attendance Allowance will be pushed into poverty by its removal. Conference urges all SNP candidates to hold the Labour Party to account on these proposals, urges the Scottish Government to resist these changes which take no account of Scotland and calls on all Scottish MPs to oppose Labour's devastating plans.

JOHN MASON MP
KENNETH GIBSON MSP