26 May 2009
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Ann McKechin was in Stirling today as part of a series of regional engagements to promote the UK legislative programme. Her visit focussed on the Savings Gateway Accounts Bill currently going through the UK Parliament which aims to promote saving and financial inclusion for working age people on lower incomes.
The Minister visited the Forth Housing Association to meet with tenants and to hear their views about the Bill first hand.
Gordon Mason, Chairperson of Forth Housing Association, said:
"We are aware of how difficult it can be for many people to save for life's essentials and were therefore delighted when we were invited to facilitate a meeting between the Minister and a group of tenants. As an organisation we are keen to look at any way that we will be able to facilitate the Savings Gateway scheme."
Recent figures published by the Office of National Statistics show that around a quarter of households in the UK had no savings in 2006-07. The Savings Gateway Accounts Bill is an innovative way to empower individuals and families to save by offering meaningful financial incentives.
Ann McKechin said:
"Saving should not be the sole preserve of the affluent but should be an option available to all Scots. The Savings Gateway Accounts Bill helps open up this opportunity for all."
The Minister added;
"The UK Government will put its money where its mouth is. For every pound saved in the scheme, the Government will top it up with a contribution of 50p. The scheme will help to promote a healthy savings habit among those on lower incomes - which will have wide ranging social and economic benefits."
Around 725,000 Scots will be eligible to open an account and the first accounts will become available in 2010.
Jacqui Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations said:
"Tackling poverty and financial exclusion is a major part of the work that housing associations like Forth do every day and the SFHA welcomes the Savings Gateway Bill whose proposals we hope will make a major contribution to improving the quality of life of lower-income families across the country."
The Minister went on to meet with Volunteer Development Scotland to learn more about their work with JobCentre plus to help people back in to employment.
Ann McKechin said:
"Volunteering can help jobseekers develop and maintain useful skills for work, so the Government is providing access to work-focussed volunteering placements for up to 40,000 jobseekers in England, Scotland and Wales over the next two years. Jobseeker's Allowance customers who have been claiming for six months will be eligible to take up this support".
Jobseekers will be provided with a wide variety of opportunities in many different areas to help them to develop or maintain work-related skills and work habits whilst they continue to search for work.
George Thomson, CEO of Volunteer Development Scotland:
"As the national centre for Excellence, Volunteer Development Scotland is delighted to welcome, Anne McKechin to our new offices in Stirling. There are important areas reserved to the UK government which significantly affect volunteering in Scotland and we believe it is important to have a strong voice for volunteering at the UK level through the Scotland Office."
The meeting also gave the Minister an opportunity to learn more about the ground breaking 'Making Waves' 4 year programme to connect the people of Scotland with the London 2012 and Paralympic Games through volunteering. The Legacy Trust UK has committed £2.57 million from National Lottery Funds to the Scottish project.
The Minister rounded off her day with a visit to Anniesland College which offers a range of courses funded by the European Social Fund. The ESF aims to help unemployed and inactive people enter work and to provide opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market.
Notes to editors
Savings Gateway Bill: