Campaigns

Government’s rape clause defence “more heat than light”

Alison Thewliss MP joins supporters at the launch of her campaign to scrap the rape clause

Campaigning MP, Alison Thewliss, has lambasted the UK Government’s failure to reassure vulnerable women and families about their proposed rape clause and two child policy.

Brandishing a Minister’s performance as “more heat than light”, Ms Thewliss vowed to plough on with her campaign to scrap the rape clause.

Despite pressing a number of serious questions to DWP Minister, Caroline Noakes, Ms Thewliss received few answers and instead got a diatribe about the need for austerity.

Commenting after the debate, the Glasgow Central MP said:

“In preparing for today’s debate, I specifically laid out key questions for the Government to answer which, unfortunately, they chose to ignore. Today we got more heat than light from the Government.

“Despite spending a significant proportion of my speech laying out concerns about the principle and operation of the two child policy and the rape clause, the Minister made no attempt whatsoever to address these issues.

“The Minister failed to take on board well founded and legitimate concerns about the Government’s third party reporting mechanism, and couldn’t give any guarantees how this would work. That is shocking when you consider the policy was announced over 400 days ago.

“The other red herring today was this same tired line that the Government will be consulting with stakeholders, but this has been incredibly limited in scope so far. Charities such as Stepchange Debt Charity, Child Poverty Action Group and Scottish Women’s Aid have all criticised the policy.

“In light of the fact that the Government is clearly unwilling to meaningfully engage – and do so publicly – on this deeply worrying policy, I will now be pushing ahead to organise a major event at Westminster which will bring together women’s welfare groups, rape crisis charities, faith communities and welfare charities. I will, of course, be inviting the Minister to address the event and listen to the very genuine concerns which still exist and could have been resolved today”.

Alison Thewliss MP supports the Get Your Kit On campaign for grassroots sport

Last week I took part in the inaugural Parliamentary Sports Fair to support the #GetYourKitOn campaign, run by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, for grassroots and community sport and recreation. As politicians, we have a responsibility to consider the wider implications of the decisions we take, the causes we promote, and the impact they will have on our constituents. Grassroots sport and recreation is one such cause which I am proud to champion.

At a time when our local services are under enormous pressure, and demand is growing, we should look to alternative and innovative solutions to help us tackle the challenges and opportunities facing society.  Sport has a significant social value, which is often under-appreciated; it can make us healthier, happier and help to create close community bonds. It can teach us valuable life-skills and it can inspire us to try new things and challenge ourselves.

The success of the GB teams in the Olympic and Paralympic Games highlight the depth of talent and passion for sport that we have in this country. However, without accessible facilities, trained coaches and valued volunteers, those aspiring champions and recreational enthusiasts would not have an outlet for their talents. Ensuring local communities have such facilities is of primary importance to the future health of our nation.

I was excited to see the Sport and Recreation Alliance launch their Get Your Kit On – A Guide to Grassroots Sport and Recreation at the event today. I look forward to working with the Alliance and their members to help support sport and recreation in my own constituency in order for the true benefit of sport to be felt by everyone in the local community.

 

MP wants more support for families affected by domestic violence

Alison Thewliss MP at Bridgeton Cross

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, today (Thursday 15th September) called for greater support within the criminal justice system for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.

In a parliamentary debate on domestic abuse and the family courts, Ms Thewliss highlighted new action by the Scottish Government to tackle domestic violence, as well as noting the need for the courts to review their processes to make the hearing of child contact cases safer for women and children who have escaped domestic abuse.

Ms Thewliss used part of her speech to draw attention the work of Glasgow Rape Crisis Centre and Glasgow Women’s Aid. She also praised projects which support those affected by domestic violence, including Power Up Power Down, a joint project between Scottish Women’s Aid and the Scottish Children and Young People’s Commissioner to make sure children’s voices are heard in court cases involving domestic abuse.

Commenting on the debate, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“Domestic violence shatters women’s confidence and undermines the lives of families across the UK. It was heart-breaking to hear stories of women fleeing domestic abuse, only to have to deal with their abusive ex-partners during court proceedings. This situation can clearly be very distressing for those affected by domestic violence, particularly when an abusive ex-partner is seeking to maintain contact with the children.

“There is much good work being done to tackle domestic violence in Scotland. I welcome the announcement in the First Minister’s Programme for Government that new legislation will be brought forward to recognise and tackle the coercive and controlling nature of psychological abuse, which can often be hidden from sight but can be just as damaging as physical violence.

“With the introduction of new legislation, our court processes must continue to evolve to ensure that they are providing the best possible support to victims of domestic abuse and to protect and support children who have been traumatised by domestic violence.

“I commend the work of many support services, including Scottish Women’s Aid to promote safety and recovery for domestic violence victims and I hope the courts will consider their recommendations carefully.”

New PM implored to stand up for women and scrap rape clause threat

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, has written to the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, urging her to “stand up for vulnerable women and scrap the rape clause”.

Writing to Theresa May after the Government announced its autumn statement would take place Wednesday 23rd November, the Glasgow MP urged the Prime Minister to do the right thing and abandon the previous Government’s plans to restrict tax credits to two children and compel women whose third child was born as the result of rape to justify this to Department of Work & Pensions officials.

Ms Thewliss has been campaigning for the tax credit changes to be scrapped since July 2015, when they were first announced by the Government. Since then, she has:

This week, the campaigning MP has written to Downing Street, calling upon Theresa May to use the recent change in Government and forthcoming Autumn Statement to abolish the deeply flawed changes to tax credits.

In addition, Ms Thewliss was informed today (Tuesday) that she has been granted a Westminster debate, which she says she will use to “interrogate” Ministers on their proposed plans.

Commenting, the Glasgow Central MP said:

“Theresa May certainly wasn’t shy in weeding out many of the former Prime Minister’s allies in the cabinet, and she is obviously not afraid to do things differently from David Cameron.

“Given that she’s had the courage to do this and to review some of the previous Government’s key policy commitments, I am today calling upon her to scrap a very real and serious policy which is still frightening vulnerable women and welfare charities all over the UK.

“Since summer 2015, I’ve been pursuing the Government on their deeply flawed plans to restrict tax credit payments to two children per family.

“Equally worrying is their medieval plan to introduce a rape clause, whereby certain exemptions will be made – and tax credits paid – if a women can prove her third child was conceived as a result of rape.

“Earlier this year, I had an dreadful meeting with the Welfare Minister, Lord Freud, who struggled to answer basic questions and suggested that women in abusive relationships – where the majority of rapes still happen – should just flee. This showed the Minister to be completely ignorant of the very real dangers some women face.

“I am pleased to have secured a parliamentary debate on this issue to interrogate the Government on their cruel and unworkable policy. Over a year on from announcing it, they still don’t know how it could be implemented.

“A parliamentary debate, change in personnel in Government, as well as the forthcoming Autumn Statement, means that Theresa May has plenty of opportunities to do the right thing, stand up for vulnerable women and scrap the rape clause.

“This needn’t be about saving face for the Prime Minister. It’s about this Prime Minister standing up for other women, doing the decent thing and getting shot of this wicked policy agenda”.

MP in “certainty” plea to Government over Yemeni asylum seekers

Alison Thewliss MP sitting at her desk in Parliament

Scottish National Party MP, Alison Thewliss, today pressed the UK Government to provide “safety and certainty” and grant refugee status to asylum seekers from Yemen.

Taking part in an exchange with Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, regarding breaches of humanitarian law in Yemen, the Glasgow Central MP said the Government was failing woefully to help provide certainty to Yemeni asylum seekers.

With most of the debate between MPs and the Minister focusing on British arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Ms Thewliss seized on recent figures from the Home Office which show that in the second quarter of 2016 alone thirteen Yemenis were refused asylum in the UK and a further fifty-seven applications were still showing as pending. She called upon Foreign Office Minister, Tobias Ellwood, to help provide certainty to Yemeni asylum seekers.

Commenting, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“It beggars belief that the Foreign Office are aware of the awful humanitarian crisis in the Yemen, yet the Home Office – in their characteristically obtuse manner – still have their heads in the sand.

“The most recent Home Office statistics show that they’ve rejected asylum claims from thirteen Yemeni asylum seekers. Where exactly do they expect them to go if they don’t want to give them refugee status? Are they seriously suggesting they should return to Yemen which is quite literally a war zone?

“Equally as bad is the fact that the Home Office have kicked another fifty-seven asylum applications into the long grass with no decision. These people urgently need certainty; people are lying awake at night worrying whether they will be forced to return to a country suffering brutal conflict and severe humanitarian disaster.

“Ministers need to show some humanity and grant Yemeni citizens status in the UK, not leave them in fear of being returned to a war zone”.

Glow Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Graphic showing the symptoms of childhood cancer

Today marks the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s vital that cancer is diagnosed at an early stage and I encourage everyone to be on the lookout for the early warning signs of cancer in children and young people. You should also be on the lookout for buildings glowing gold in the month of September to raise awareness of childhood cancer – visit https://www.facebook.com/GlowGoldSeptember/ to find out more. #glowgold #ccam

MP praises Step Change debt charity

SNP MP Alison Thewliss has praised a national debt advice charity based in her Glasgow Central constituency. The Westminster MP was visiting Step Change as part of her summer recess visits.

Step Change, which is headquartered in Leeds but has over 40 staff in its Glasgow base, assisted almost 7,000 clients in Scotland within the last year. Figures show that the average debt per Step Change client in Scotland is approximately £12,500. Now the SNP MP is calling for anyone worried about debt to get in touch with Step Change by calling on 0800 138 1111.

Commenting after her visit, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I really appreciated the opportunity to visit Step Change’s Glasgow base and to learn more about the invaluable service they provide to those with concerns around debt and personal finance.

“People can fall into debt for a whole variety of reasons – a change in employment, reduced income or benefits, lack of budgeting or a relationship breakdown.

“Step Change is there to help people get back on their feet with practical help like putting a budget together, negotiating reduced payments with creditors or even just being a listening ear over the phone.

“I would recommend that anyone who feels they cannot cope financially gets in touch with Step Change by calling their free advice line on 0800 138 1111.”

Back to School Bank

Supplies donated to the office of Alison Thewliss MP by volunteers from the Back to School Bank.

Many thanks to the volunteers at Back to School Bank for providing my constituents with essential school supplies for their children. It is a shame that this service is needed in 21st century Scotland, however I am pleased that they were able to help out in a difficult situation. They are on the lookout for volunteers so like their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter to find out more about your local school uniform bank and how you can help them out.

Glasgow MP joins recruitment drive for Children’s Panel members

Alison Thewliss MP at Buchanan Street Steps

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, today (Wednesday) joined forces with Children’s Hearings Scotland to launch their campaign to recruit new members of the Children’s Panel.

Children’s Panel members are lay tribunal members who play a vital role in the care and protection of vulnerable children across Scotland. Panel members sit in on children’s hearings, which operate on a rota basis, and make decisions about improving children’s lives.

The Children’s Hearings System was set up in 1971 to deal with children who had committed criminal offences or were in need of care and protection. Since its establishment the Children’s Panel has played an important role in upholding children’s rights and it now focuses on ensuring the protection of children who have experienced abuse and neglect or who are at serious risk of harm.

Commenting on the campaign, Alison Thewliss MP said:

“I’m delighted to give my support to the Children’s Hearings Scotland annual recruitment drive for Children’s Panel members.

“Children’s Panel members are trained volunteers who come from a wide range of backgrounds and sit on hearings in the local communities in which they live or work. Their dedication to securing positive results for children who are at risk of harm or exploitation is truly inspiring.

“Being a Children’s Panel member is a great opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable children in Glasgow. Children’s Hearings Scotland also provide valuable opportunities for training and personal development, including support towards a recognised qualification which is highly valued by employers.

“I encourage constituents across Glasgow Central to take advantage of this worthwhile experience and apply to join the Children’s Panel today.”

Civil servants’ union blasts rape clause plans

Alison Thewliss MP joins supporters at the launch of her campaign to scrap the rape clause

Campaigning MP, Alison Thewliss, has warmly welcomed support from one of the UK’s largest trade unions representing civil servants, which has blasted Government plans for a rape clause and two child policy.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents civil servants, said it was “firmly opposed” to the Government’s tax credit cuts and said they wanted the two child policy and rape clause to be abandoned.

Ms Thewliss, who first drew attention to the policy during the summer budget of July 2015, welcomed PCS union’s support and has called upon Lord Freud, the Government’s Welfare Reform Minister, not to “ride roughshod” over civil servants’ wishes.

Commenting, the Glasgow Central MP said:

“PCS union’s intervention should serve as a major warning to the Government that they cannot ride roughshod over the wishes of UK civil servants.

“The fact remains that the introduction of a rape clause and two child policy would put civil servants in an incredibly awkward position, almost certainly having to ask intrusive and deeply personal questions of vulnerable women, who have been raped and subject to sexual violence. That simply is not on.

“Like me, PCS have repeatedly raised these concerns with the DWP and no answers have been forthcoming about how this can be handled. The reason no answers are forthcoming is because it’s an unworkable, immoral and abhorrent policy.

“Lord Freud and the DWP should listen to, and respect, the wishes of PCS and its members and abandon this offensive and damaging policy agenda without delay.”