CAS was involved in the shaping and writing of amendments proposed by action for children/SCoWR for the third reading of the welfare reform bill. The amendment relates to childcare and costs, and work focused interviews.
There is an urgent need to improve the level and availability of childcare provision across the UK, particularly in Scotland, above all for older children requiring out of school care. This is necessary if claimants with children are to avoid being penalised through the Welfare Reform provisions, either as a result of missing out on key support to help them move into work, or by suffering sanctions for failing to work or to participate in work related activity.