One of Labour's leading figures has recently expressed his opposition to the removal ofbenefit from sixteen and seventeen year olds which was introduced by the Tories. In anarticle which will soon be published as part of the Annual Report of "Open Door" - a WestLothian voluntary organisation which provides emergency accommodation for homeless under 18s- Labour's Robin Cook says this:

'I led Labour's opposition to the removal of benefit from sixteen and seventeen year oldsand to the introduction of a new junior rate of benefit for people under twenty-five. Ibelieve that these changes were irresponsible, particularly the removal of benefit fromteenagers which undoubtedly left some destitute. The changes in benefit have played a bigpart in the rise in youth homelessness and Open Door itself recorded a big rise inapplications at the time when benefit was removed from teenagers.'

I applaud Robin Cook's remarks, and indeed the whole of the SNP have opposed these Torychanges. However, we are pledged to restore benefit to 16 and 17 year olds - New Labour hasmade no such pledge.

I must therefore ask Robin Cook - if you believe what you have written, why are you notfighting for benefits for this vulnerable group, rather than accepting New Labour's policy? And if you write in this way for a group in your constituency, should you not also bewriting and saying this as widely as possible, so that the message can get through to TonyBlair and his fellow Tartan Tories?

Saying one thing in an annual report for a voluntary group, and another when on nationalplatform is dishonest. I do not believe that Robin Cook is a dishonest man, and therefore Iappeal to him to stand up and be counted on this vital issue.

In all areas of social policy, Labour has retreated so far to the right, they are now firmlyplanted on Tory territory. The Labour Party Conference in Blackpool last week voted for thehierarchy and against Baroness Barbara Castle, who has lobbied the Labour leadership to givepensioners a fair deal, and reverse Tory cuts. Tony Blair has proved that he wants thepolicies of New Labour to be like those of old Tories, and Labour delegates let him getaway with selling our pensioners short.

The SNP are setting the standards for pensioners that other parties must now reach. Webelieve that people who have worked hard all their lives, and contributed their share intothe public purse, deserve to live in comfort and dignity in their retirement years. TheSNP's commitment to pensioners has always been firm and clear, and unlike New Labour's ourcommitment will never waver.

The SNP's fully-costed 'Pensioners' Package' proposes an increase in the state pension of £3for a single person and £5 for a couple, and the abolition of means testing for theresidential care of the elderly. We also propose a weekly Cold Climate Allowance during thecoldest winter months.

We would also cut VAT on fuel from 8% to 5%, in order to combat the fuel poverty whichaffects hundred of thousands of households in Scotland, and we would regulate the utilitiesin order to remove gas, electricity and telephone standing charges from pensioners. Thesepolicies complete a package which would ensure that all pensioners in Scotland would bebetter-off with Independence.

Margaret Ewing
SNP Parliamentary Social Affairs Spokesperson

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If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.

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