Ann Wardlaw

There should be a 21st century welfare system, based on need, not moral judgements, which ensures everyone has a decent standard of living, free from poverty and low pay. These principles will underpin the STUC’s campaign to defend the welfare state against the coalition government’s welfare reforms, and for a fair and just taxation system.

Congress pledged to oppose the £18 billion cuts in the welfare budget and to lobby the UK and Scottish Government against the reforms, and will work alongside disability organisations and others at Scottish and local level to highlight the economic and social impact of these reforms and to support initiatives to protect the most vulnerable.

UNISON's Ann Wardlaw told delegates, "My starting point is what sort of society do we want to live in? It is from this point that we can consider the concept and model of welfare that is fit for purpose in the 21st Century.

"This is miles removed from the starting point of the Tory / LibDem coalition. They start from making a political choice that the poorest and most vulnerable in society do not “deserve” financial support from the state. This is not based on any notion of “need”, but is a moral judgement of “deserving and undeserving poor”.

"Be under no illusion – we can afford the existing welfare system and continue to manage to find money for other things. For example, it was announced on Saturday that George Osbourne has committed an additional £10 billion to the International Monetary Fund on top of the £30 billion we have already gave to this fund.

"My point here is we have the money – these are political choices", said Ann.

And the effects would be felt by everyone. "Families in receipt of in-work benefits with changes to Working Tax Credit and Child Benefit will see a reduction in income for many families who are otherwise not in receipt of welfare benefits. It is estimated 350,000 children now face poverty as families struggle to afford basic essentials", Ann told delegates.

"In Scotland 49,730 recipients of Local Housing Allowance (97% of LHA recipients) will lose an average of £10 per week. From 2013 HB for working age people in social rented homes will be linked to the size of property. An estimated 95,000 Scottish households will be affected and these households will see their HB cut by an average of £13 per week. An estimated 4,000 households could become homeless in Scotland."

"It is vital to recognise that the stress and deprivation caused by reduced income is likely to lead to deterioration in mental and physical health, increasing the health inequalities gap and levels of child poverty currently experienced by our communities."