Welfare

The UK government’s much-heralded change to the social security system contains a number of inherent flaws which are causing serious problems for people in need, according to a detailed new report from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS). The new Universal Credit (UC) policy is a massive reform to soci

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has outlined a comprehensive programme for the Scottish Government including early action to prepare for new social security powers and delivering 50,000 affordable homes over the parliament. In a speech to MSPs at Holyrood yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said the next five yea

Janice Blenkinsopp In a guest blog for Shelter Scotland, Janice Blenkinsopp talks about her research into the housing options for the often overlooked demographic of low-income adults aged 25-34 following recent welfare changes and the potential implications for our understanding of what it means to

Terrie Alafat Tenants who receive the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) face an increasingly widening gap between the help with their housing costs and the actual rent they pay, new Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) research has found.

Almost half of low income households in the UK are not claiming the welfare benefits and tax credits they could be entitled to, according to new research. National charity Turn2us has found that of the 48 per cent of low income households missing out on assistance, 87 per cent have seen no improveme

Adam Lang By Adam Lang, head of communications and policy at Shelter Scotland

Universal Credit has “serious design flaws” and has “veered off track” because of cost-cutting, according to think tank the Resolution Foundation.

Nicola Sturgeon The SNP has unveiled plans for 50,000 new affordable homes, a Warm Homes Bill to help tackle fuel poverty and a social security system based on dignity and respect should it win the upcoming Holyrood election.

Willie Rennie The Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out plans to increase in housing supply by expanding the Housing Fund for Scotland model and tackle youth homelessness through mediation.

Stephen Crabb New work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb has said there will be no further planned cuts to welfare after the UK government abandoned its changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Iain Duncan Smith The Scottish National Party is calling on David Cameron to “immediately and completely” scrap cuts to disability benefit announced in Wednesday’s budget following the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith.

The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR) has written to political candidates across Scotland to ask them to commit to using new powers to create a fairer social security system. Set up in 2006 to highlight the concerns of a diverse coalition of organisations in Scotland about the UK governmen

The Scottish Government should have a single department responsible for both new tax and welfare powers due to be devolved, according to Reform Scotland. With welfare expenditure currently divided between two departments, HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Reform Scotland believes

Justine Tomlinson Tenants of supported accommodation will not be subject to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap on housing benefit until April 2017 after the UK government introduced a year-long exception.

Alex Neil A new delivery agency will be set up to administer social security payments worth £2.7 billion when they are devolved to Scotland, social justice secretary Alex Neil announced today.