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Hmmm so Bob Winter saved the veterans and widows from housing benefit deductions? Maybe SNP Councillor Billy McAllister's motion and speech on this in the Full Council yesterday had more to do with it? That's on the top of page 3 of the agenda at http://www.glasgowci tycouncil.co.uk/comm ittee_minutes/public /Documents/Live/Coun cil/20083/1330_26_06 _2008_2461_Agenda_26 06agen.pdf [quote]by Councillor Billy McAllister “Council acknowledges the vital role played by the armed forces and the hardships faced by veterans, especially injured and disabled veterans, upon their return. Council notes that the large majority of local authorities across Britain now provide a full disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. Council resolves to introduce a 100% disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims made by Glasgow citizens.”[/quote] Glasgow's administration had been refusing for years to treat veterans and widows the same way as every other council in Scotland (except North Lanarkshire) until that motion was brought forward yesterday.

[quote][bold]afraser[/bold] wrote: Hmmm so Bob Winter saved the veterans and widows from housing benefit deductions? Maybe SNP Councillor Billy McAllister's motion and speech on this in the Full Council yesterday had more to do with it? That's on the top of page 3 of the agenda at http://www.glasgowci tycouncil.co.uk/comm ittee_minutes/public /Documents/Live/Coun cil/20083/1330_26_06 _2008_2461_Agenda_26 06agen.pdf [quote]by Councillor Billy McAllister “Council acknowledges the vital role played by the armed forces and the hardships faced by veterans, especially injured and disabled veterans, upon their return. Council notes that the large majority of local authorities across Britain now provide a full disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. Council resolves to introduce a 100% disregard of War Disablement Pension and War Widow’s Pension for Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims made by Glasgow citizens.”[/quote] Glasgow's administration had been refusing for years to treat veterans and widows the same way as every other council in Scotland (except North Lanarkshire) until that motion was brought forward yesterday. [/quote] Hi, I'm sure that I am not the only member, thanks for that post.

Thanks. Here's the speech Councillor McAllister delivered on that motion on the Thursday: "In the last few days five paratroopers have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the total casualty list to 102 dead. Another 176 British troops have been killed in Iraq. Far more have been injured. British military involvement in both of those conflicts is unfortunately likely to continue for years, perhaps decades. Both of those wars have been launched by the Labour Government in Westminster. The Iraq war at least was opposed by the majority of the population, with millions taking to the streets in the biggest demonstrations since the 1926 General Strike. It was an illegal war. Also, the administration of this Council encourages army recruitment teams to visit Glasgow schools as part of a recruitment drive for those two wars. I wonder if they tell the school kids that if you fight for your country and are a hero, don’t expect help from Glasgow City Council when you come back injured. The SNP believes injured soldiers are heroes and should be treated as such. War widows do not deserve to have their pensions stolen back off them by the Housing Benefit policies of this administration. Legislation allows local authorities the power to disregard income from War Disablement and War Widows pensions, if they choose to. Why doesn’t Glasgow? In England and Wales, only two out of the 410 local authorities fail to provide a full disregard. In Scotland, only two out of 32 local authorities fail to provide a full disregard. Glasgow stands almost alone, in treating its returning veterans so badly. In earlier wars, returning veterans were promised “homes fit for heroes”. Now the promise is “homes fit for heroes – as long as you’re not a Glaswegian”. Our boys are being treated differently from the rest of the country. When you think of the proud history of this city, we always fought for and protected our citizens. John Wheatley and Nye Bevan would turn in their graves if they knew this policy had been put in place by a Labour administration. The Leader of the Council on the last two meetings has told us he now believes in socialist values. Yet here we have the opposite values pushing disabled war veterans and war widows into poverty. I have constituents who have contacted me in relation to this. They are in severe financial difficulty because they receive no housing benefit or council tax benefit. That is because their War Disablement pensions are being deducted by our Housing Benefit Office. If they were not living under this Council they would receive full housing benefit. I believe this is a shameful situation and would ask all of you to join with me in supporting this motion in its entirety."

It is completely shocking to know that only two councils in Scotland, have not been disregarding War Pensions. I notice that there is no mention of when Glasgow City Council plans on bringing this in. As a Veteran who has just been assessed for Housing Benefit. Again they have only disregarded £10.00 of my War Pension. This means I have to pay almost full rent. With, what little money I have left after rent, food, and bills are paid. I have very little to live on. Why make such an announcement, and not mention when it is starting ?.

Since mt last post, I have recieved 100% disregdr of my War Pension towards Housing Benefit. Which was great news, and much appreciated. It took my above the poverty line. So well done Glasgow City Council. Unfortunately, now the CSA have taken it all away from me, now that I receive Housing Benefit.