The ALLIANCE and partners call for urgent action in a joint budget briefing
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 13th December 2022
Calls for protection for disabled people, people living with long term conditions and unpaid carers in the cost of living crisis.
A joint briefing from the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), Childrens Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Marie Curie and MS Society Scotland, outlining our concerns about the possible impacts of the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills on people with long term and terminal conditions has been sent to the Government.
Whether due to powering essential assistive or life-sustaining equipment in the home, maintaining medication at the correct useable temperature, or keeping themselves warm, many of the people our organisations support have significantly higher energy requirements, but have no option to safely reduce usage. At the same time, third sector organisations providing essential support are also facing serious difficulties.
Ahead of this week’s budget, our organisations are calling on the Scottish Government to:
- Provide targeted emergency cost of living payments through the social security system as soon as possible
- Immediately extend the current rebate scheme for oxygen concentrators to other life-sustaining equipment used in homes
- Ensure adequate, fair and sustainable multi-year funding for third sector organisations
- Work jointly with the UK Government, National Grid and energy suppliers to put clear contingency plans in place to exempt those most at risk from any possible rolling power outages.
We are also calling on the UK Government to continue energy bill support beyond the proposed April end date, both for domestic consumers and third sector organisations.
End of page.
You may also like:
The ALLIANCE joins 54 signatories in calling for accessible news and equal access to information for all.
Continue readingRead the full response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice
Continue readingA new app from the Scottish Association for Supported Employment (SUSE) for helping people stay well in work
Continue readingFree self management and wellbeing resource for everyone helping young people with their wellbeing.
Continue readingThe date for this year's DiGiTal Get Together has been announced
Continue readingWe have published our conference report from our annual conference Hope to Action as we look to the future and the work still to be done.
Continue readingNew guidance supports Audiology services to design and develop clinical peer review schemes to support quality assurance.
Continue readingRegister for this paid Advisory Panel opportunity
Continue readingTake a short survey to share your experiences
Continue readingLearn about this new way NDCS are supporting families.
Continue readingBooking is now open for Peer Connect events across 2026/27.
Continue readingShare your experiences of accessing and using NHS Lothian services by survey or focus group.
Continue readingNew appointments for Màiri McAllan, Alison Thewliss, Maree Todd and Simita Kumar.
Continue readingSign up to participate in this co-design study
Continue readingPatient groups, patients and carers are invited to share their views.
Continue readingThe letter urges honesty on the financial challenges facing Scotland, and progressing reforms to council tax.
Continue reading#TryAToolTuesday raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing.
Continue readingAn exciting opportunity to support DES in meeting its strategic aims.
Continue readingALLIANCE consultation response calls for clearer guidance, sustained investment and local support to make carers' breaks a reality.
Continue readingThe letter also calls on the Scottish Government to appoint a dedicated Cabinet Secretary for Human Rights.
Continue readingPublished by VHS, the new report shares insights from Scotland’s third sector.
Continue readingThe letter calls on the UK Government to take steps to fully incorporate economic, social and cultural rights in law.
Continue readingHave your say on what worked well, what barriers remain, and what changes are needed to improve accessible voting.
Continue readingResults will inform future guidance, resources and service improvements for people living with cancer.
Continue readingThe results of PIF’s survey give some cause for optimism – but equal cause for concern.
Continue reading