12.05.2015
People living in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh are being asked how changes to the benefits system have affected them as the Scottish Parliament visits the south east side of the city on Monday 18 May.
Holyrood’s Parliament Day initiative, introduced by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, aims to take the Parliament out into communities around Scotland, encouraging local people to take an interest in and engage directly with the Parliament and its work.
The Welfare Reform Committee, which was set up to examine the impact of changes to benefits and welfare introduced by the UK Government, will hold a ‘Your Say’ session, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm. Members of the local communities, including those from Craigmillar, Niddrie and Portobello are invited to come along and get involved.
In the evening, local people are also invited to a relaxed, informal Q&A session at 5:30pm, hosted by the Presiding Officer, where they can quiz MSPs about how their Parliament works for them. MSPs Gavin Brown, Kezia Dugdale and Kenny MacAskill will also be in attendance.
The Presiding Officer said:
“We know that the people of Scotland want to be involved in the political process and that is why the Parliament is going out across Scotland and right into our communities.
“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to join us at the Jack Kane Centre. Together with my fellow MSPs we are looking forward to hearing about what matters to local people.”
Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP said:
“The Welfare Reform Committee was set up to examine the welfare reform programme and its impact on Scotland. Our research has shown Portobello/ Craigmillar to be the worst hit area of Edinburgh in terms of the welfare changes.
“Our Committee has put personal experiences at the heart of our work and we want to sit down with local people who have been affected by or are worried about changes to the benefits system.”
Background
Welfare Reform Committee ‘Your Say’ Informal Meeting
- Jack Kane Community Centre, 208 Niddrie Mains Road
- From 2:00pm to 4:30pm
- Free entry, free refreshments
Local residents are encouraged to come along and talk to MSPs and others in an informal, welcoming setting about the changes to benefits that matter to you.
Public Meeting with the Presiding Officer and local MSPs
- Jack Kane Community Centre, 208 Niddrie Mains Road
- 5:30pm
- Free entry, free refreshments
- Q&A session with MSPs
For more information, please visit www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentdays
You can also follow us on twitter @scotparl and @SP_welfareref and #PDCraigmillar