Recession brings hard times for vulnerable people in Scotland

Scottish Independent Advocacy organisations report that the economic recession is having an increasingly negative impact on the most vulnerable members of our society.

‘More for Less?  Independent Advocacy – More demand, less funding’ details the findings of research into the delivery of Independent Advocacy in the current economic downturn and reports on the experience of Scottish Independent Advocacy providers in relation to demand for and funding of advocacy. 

Demand for Independent Advocacy has shown a steady increase over the past 18 months to two years with increasingly large numbers of referrals as a direct or indirect result of the recession. 

Service users increasingly are raising concerns about the reduction of support services, and issues associated with the withdrawal of such services. These included the reduction of support hours, the loss of community support programmes, and the loss of other local authority services.

Changes to the benefits system have caused particular concern and uncertainty amongst service users with advocacy organisations reporting increased numbers of people seeking support to appeal decisions on benefits awards including attendance at medicals and interviews.  In addition to direct advocacy support for issues around benefits and changes there are reports of increasing levels of anxiety amongst service users arising from anticipated cuts to benefits.  Service users report that this contributes to deterioration in their mental health.

Read the More For Less report

or download our press release.

For more information contact Muriel Mowat on 0131 260 5380

5 January 2012