Suffolk spearheads SCP Income Support campaign

Suffolk County Council’s school crossing patrols manager Mary Jarrett is spearheading a campaign to change the rules relating to Income Support ‘disregards’ and SCPs.

A disregard is the part of an employee’s income that is not counted in calculating Income Support - in most cases this is the first £5 of any earnings from part-time work.

However, for people engaged in a number of special part-time occupations there is a higher disregard of £20. These occupations include firefighting, being a member of the Territorial Army or reserve forces, a member of the crew of a lifeboat, or an auxiliary coastguard. Others who qualify for this higher disregard include single parents.

"School crossing patrols fulfill an important role for their local community and as such it could be seen as a ‘special occupation’," says Mary Jarrett. " It is often not worthwhile for those on income support to become a patrol. With recruitment being an ongoing problem any incentive to encourage or assist anyone interested in the job must be worthwhile."

Mary’s campaign has the support of LARSOA (at regional and national level) and the ROSIEE group.

Bob Blizzard, MP for Waveney, raised a question for Chris Pond, minister of work and pensions, in the House of Commons– and as a result a meeting on the subject is due to take place some time this month. Mr Blizzard also raised the issue during Prime Minister’s questions, and an Early Day Motion has been formed.

"Perhaps others involved in the SCP service could gauge support from within their authority to see if any would be willing to lobby on this issue," Mary concludes. "This has been done by the Eastern Region SCP Group and we have received positive feedback."

For further information contact Mary Jarrett, Mary.Jarrett@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk.