Universal Credit
Administration of Universal Credit branded ‘shambolic’ as tenant's rent sent to wrong landlord
A housing association director has described the arrangements put in place by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for the introduction of Universal Credit as “shambolic”.
Published 13 July 2018
UK housing bodies warn ‘flawed’ Universal Credit is causing debt and hardship for families in social housing
The four UK housing federations have issued a joint call to the UK government to reform the “flawed” Universal Credit system which they say is causing debt, suffering and hardship for the families they house.
Published 10 July 2018
Minister apologises over ‘inadvertently misleading’ parliament over Universal Credit
Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has been forced to apologise after being criticised by the national audit watchdog for making “incorrect” claims about Universal Credit in Parliament.
Published 5 July 2018
Damning report finds Universal Credit 'may never deliver value for money'
A damning report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has concluded that Universal Credit has not delivered value for money and it is uncertain that it ever will.
Published 15 June 2018
Scottish Borders Council and partners brace for Universal Credit Full Service roll-out
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and partners are working together to provide information and advice to residents on the Department for Work and Pensions’ roll out of Universal Credit (UC) Full Service in the Borders, which began yesterday.
Published 14 June 2018
Discretionary Housing Payments increase ‘reveals pressure faced by Scottish households’
A 7% increase in the number of applications for financial assistance towards housing costs made by households claiming housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit show the increased pressure faced by households across Scotland, Shelter Scotland has warned.
Published 23 May 2018
Wellhouse Housing Association hosts four Federations in Glasgow
Wellhouse Housing Association welcomed the National Housing Federations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England last week to discuss tenant led boards and the possible impact of the full roll out of Universal Credit (UC) as part of a UK nations information sharing event.
Published 21 May 2018
UK welfare cuts ‘having major impact on rent arrears’
Households renting in the private and social sectors have been severely affected by UK government welfare policies, according to a new report.
Published 14 May 2018
Campaigners call for benefits reform as foodbank use hits record high
Campaigners have urged the UK government to urgently halt Universal Credit as new figures show foodbank use in Scotland has soared to record levels.
Published 24 April 2018
SFHA repeats call for Universal Credit pause
Secretary of state for work and pensions Esther McVey MP will face further calls to pause Universal Credit when she appears before the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee today.
Published 16 April 2018
18-21 year olds given housing support under Universal Credit in Westminster u-turn
The UK government is to amend regulations so that all 18-21 year olds will be entitled to claim support for housing costs through Universal Credit.
Published 3 April 2018
Financial pressure on Scottish social landlords set to rise following Universal Credit roll-out
Social landlords in Scotland are likely to experience significant financial pressures as a consequence of changes to the benefit system – according to research from Mobysoft, a provider of rent collection software to the social housing sector.
Published 26 March 2018
Flexible Universal Credit eligibility extended across Scotland
The Scottish Government has extended its flexible Universal Credit options to all recipients in full service areas to help more people manage their money.
Published 31 January 2018
One million calls to Universal Credit helpline ‘abandoned’ in one year
More than one million calls to the Universal Credit helpline have been abandoned without claimants getting an answer within a 12-month period, according to new statistics.
Published 10 January 2018
Landlord body welcomes U-turn on Universal Credit direct payments
Government changes to Universal Credit which will make it easier for direct payments to be made to landlords have been welcomed by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).
Published 9 January 2018
