Becoming the convener of Holyrood’s social justice committee has been really important for me because I think I can draw on that past experience.As elected representatives, we have a duty to

improve the lives of everyone in Scotland, especially the most vulnerable in our society. Putting cash in people’s pockets is really important because, especially with the multiple crises

currently imposed on us by the Tory government, people need money and there’s no two ways about that. But while this is crucial in the here and now, we also have to deliver on our national

mission of tackling poverty, especially child poverty and I don’t believe we will ever truly tackle this until everyone has a good standard of living. Alcoholism, drug addiction, mental

security – one that fundamentally treats people with dignity, trust and respect. These are the principles upon which Scotland’s new social security system was founded, and it’s already

delivering 12 benefits – many of which are unique to Scotland. However, while the Scottish Parliament offers help to support the most vulnerable in our society, the grasping hand of

Westminster often comes to take money away from them. Take the “game-changing” Scottish Child Payment, which we have increased by 150% in the space of a year, and which now provides

£25-per-week for each eligible child in Scotland. > 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Scottish Child Payment is unique to > Scotland, the most ambitious child poverty reduction measure in the > UK. >

  > 📢 We doubled the payment to £20 per week per child in April and > the further increase to £25 from November 14th means a rise of 150% > in less than eight months. 

pic.twitter.com/iSxq90ABLM >  > — The SNP (@theSNP) September 6, 2022 Shortly after we introduced this unique anti-poverty measure, the UK government slashed Universal Credit by £20

per week. The fact is, under Westminster control, Scotland operates with one hand tied behind its back and we will never be a priority for the UK Government. I have grown up and lived

through both Labour and Tory Governments, they have had their chance to set a better course but have only made things worse with more people living in poverty now than ever before. The

recent catastrophic choices of the Tories should be the final straw. A lot of the powers we need to truly tackle poverty lie in the hands of Westminster governments, and when we consistently

press for these powers to be devolved, our requests simply get ignored. Unlike most governments around the world, Scotland cannot borrow money to fund vital public services, nor can we

overspend on our fixed budget. There is a permanent solution to those problems that will empower us to tackle poverty and deliver a fairer society – and that is by becoming an independent

country, with the full suite of powers available to other countries, like our neighbours Denmark and Ireland. Why shouldn’t Scotland have those powers to make people’s lives better? When

Scotland chooses independence, we will be able to make decisions that affect the people of Scotland, right here in Scotland. We can build a fairer, greener country and truly empower the

people who live here – instead of putting up with the chaos and damage of Westminster governments. Our opponents will argue that now is not the time but there has never been a better time.

Successive UK Governments have failed to protect people in this country and now the Tories are trying to convince people that the very mess they have helped to create is a reason that we

should cling to this doomed Union. It is not on. Scotland must have the choice, but it’s up to all of us to get out there, convince those yet undecided, and help win that better future. >

 👉🏼 Scotland can do better than being ignored at Westminster. >  > 👉🏼 Scotland can do better than a hard Brexit we never voted > for. >  > 👉🏼 Scotland can do better than 

having to put up with more > austerity. >  > 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 It’s time for independence. > https://t.co/bkLETLohJ9 pic.twitter.com/Zbm5d2kofg >  > — Yes (@YesScot) December 27, 

2022