Scottish Catholic Observer

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (above) was speaking at the launch of the Scottish Leaders Welfare Group yesterday in Glasgow about the impact of welfare reform on the poor.

The group of church and union leaders heard personal experiences of benefits cuts and Government austerity measures at Drumchapel Citizens Advice Bureau before a visit to Drumchapel Foodbank at their first meeting.

“What we have heard in the testimony today is that the process of accessing benefits is very difficult for people who most need them,” Archbishop Tartaglia said. “I think it is important for all levels of society to try to better the benefits system. It is highly bureaucratic, complex and to some extent impenetrable. It is highly impersonal and anonymous.

“I want to say to those in power in London because it is still there that these decisions are made that they need to look closely at the reality on the ground in places like Glasgow. See the failings in the structures and do all they can to put things right.”

The group, formed by Citizens Advice Scotland, includes Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Church of Scotland Moderator Rev John Chalmers and Grahame Smith of the Scottish Trade Union Congress.