WIDER POLICIES
Scotland-Specific Income Policy

Key policy:

• Employability Framework 

Tax and benefits policy is the responsibility of the UK Government, HM Treasury (see UK Work Policy section).

Scottish Executive policy is restricted to potentially lobbying the UK Government about issues of concern and to developing other policies to help people in low paid work.

Income from work

The Scottish Executive's Employability Framework seeks to ensure that the objectives of its social inclusion plan (Closing the Opportunity Gap) are met.  One of those objectives is "to increase the chances of sustained employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to lift them permanently out of poverty". 

A related target for this objective is for public sector employers and large employers to "tackle aspects of in-work poverty by providing employees with the opportunity to develop skills and progress in their career".  NHS Scotland will set an example by providing 1,000 job opportunities with support for training and progression once in post, between 2004 and 2006, for those who are currently economically inactive or unemployed.

A working group has been set up to look specifically at ways in which people in low paid, low skilled jobs can move onto better paid, and more skilled jobs.  It will look at support for both employees, and support for employers to help them develop the skills of their employees.

The Homelessness Monitoring Group has instructed the Scottish Executive Homelessness Division to ensure homeless people are included in the activity to meet the in-work poverty objectives.  This was on the basis of one of the work-related recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force, which identified the need for a greater public (and private) role in meeting homeless people's employment needs.

Page last modified on 30/06/2006 at 10:49