MINISTERS are being urged to extend the eligibility criteria for those who can apply for a new mental health moratorium for debts in Scotland.
Legislation being brought forward by the Scottish Government proposes such a measure to provide those in debt who are suffering from serious mental ill health with “breathing space from creditor action” so they can focus on their treatment and recovery.
The measure is included in the Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill, which is currently before Holyrood.
But MSPs on the Economy and Fair Work Committee, who have been scrutinising the proposals said, as it stands, only those receiving compulsory mental health treatment would be eligible for the moratorium.
This, they said, “does not reflect the severity of the issues faced by those with serious mental health issues and debt problems”, with the MSPs calling on ministers to widen the eligibility criteria so more people could access “much needed support”.
READ MORE: Scottish Government WhatsApp policy in focus at UK inquiry
Their report also noted that the criteria for a similar debt respite scheme in England and Wales is wider, with anyone receiving mental health crisis treatment eligible to apply.
While the number of people who might benefit from the proposed mental health moratorium will not be known until the details of the scheme are finalised, papers from the Scottish Government have suggested that between 200 and 500 people a year could apply for such assistance.
The committee also complained that when the legislation was introduced there was “very little” information included about how the new moratorium would work.
While further detail was later revealed in the Government’s consultations, the committee said by this time they were already taking evidence on the legislation.
Stressing it is “imperative that sufficient time” is available to scrutinise how the moratorium will work in practice, the committee said the Government must give early sight of the regulations that will underpin it.
With the Economy and Fair Work Committee having endorsed the general principles of the bill, convener Claire Baker stressed MSPs were “broadly supportive” of the legislation.
She added: “The idea of a mental health moratorium will be very helpful to those who need it.
READ MORE: Tom Hunter called out for missing key fact from Scotland criticism
“However, we are concerned that the proposed narrow criteria will mean this bill does not help enough people, and the bill should be looked at again with this in mind.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to extend the criteria to allow more people experiencing a mental health crisis to lean on this support.
“Experts suggested various alternative approaches, and we hope the Government will listen to their views.”
With ministers having indicated they will bring forward draft regulations for a moratorium, Baker added: “It is vital that the committee has a chance to scrutinise these regulations before the bill is passed, so that the detail of these proposals can be fully examined.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here