Good Local Economics

The House of Lords yesterday rejected proposals outlined in the Welfare Reform Bill to restrict the payment of employment and support allowance (ESA). ESA is the replacement for incapacity benefit, which is claimed by most non-working disabled people. The disabled are amongst the poorest and most vulnerable in society and, at a time when basic living costs are spiralling out of control, the Welfare Reform Bill makes such chilling reading that the audio version should be voiced by Vincent Price.

In an attempt to ward off the post-Christmas blues, I had a read of the Scottish Government’s regeneration strategy published in December 2011.  It’s a comforting bedtime-story type of read because it reassures us that there are still people out there who believe in the notion that we should and can support those who are most marginalised, even in a time of financial constraint.