Rebecca McCurdy

2 days ago | irvinetimes.com | Rebecca McCurdy

There are now 12 Scottish-based MPs, out of a total of 37, backing the ‘reasoned amendment’ which asks the UK Government to rethink its flagship benefits policy. More than 120 Labour MPs across the UK have backed the rebellion – despite Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasising the UK Government will not “walk away” from the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill. Ms Rayner said the second reading will go ahead on Tuesday, July 1, as expected.

2 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

It comes as a report by St Andrews University highlighted a number of failings, including children being trafficked from their homes. Efforts to assimilate Gypsy-Travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the 1800s. But it escalated with the Tinker Experiments from 1940s to 1980s, when Gypsy-Travellers were told their children would be removed if they did not leave their nomadic lifestyle for settlements.

2 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

More than 120 Labour MPs across the UK have backed the rebellion – despite Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasising the UK Government will not “walk away” from the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill. Irene Campbell has become the latest Scottish Labour MP to speak out against the proposals, which would limit the eligibility threshold for PIP. Speaking to The Herald, the North Ayrshire and Arran MP said she signed the amendment on Tuesday evening.

2 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

The apology follows years of campaigning but the reasons behind it date all the way back to the 1920s. Campaigners behind this, including those with lived experience, recognised the report as being a long time coming. The Herald has been covering the concerns facing the Gypsy-Traveller community for years. This is why an apology is just the start.

2 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

That is despite 122 Labour MPs - including 11 from Scotland - backing a 'reasoned amendment' which aims to scrap the current proposals. The i newspaper reported widespread speculation that No10 could scrap the Bill in its entirety before Wednesday. Ms Rayner was stepping in for Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday while he attends a NATO summit.