Universal Credit
Women ‘hardest hit’ by UK welfare cuts, says minister
Women are being unfairly impacted by recent UK government cuts to benefits and welfare eligibility, according to equalities secretary Angela Constance.
Published 18 April 2017
Homeless households to be made exempt from Universal Credit
The UK government is to make households that are made homeless exempt from Universal Credit following reports that the new benefits system has led to an increase in rent arrears.
Published 29 March 2017
SFHA welcomes Scottish Government call to halt full Universal Credit roll-out
A request by Scottish ministers for an immediate halt to the roll-out of the full service of Universal Credit “until problems with its implementation are fully resolved” has been welcomed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).
Published 23 March 2017
Universal Credit arrears 'frightening', says GWSF
The deliberate exclusion of social landlords from the Universal Credit system means arrears levels are even worse than was originally feared, according to the Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF).
Published 22 March 2017
Universal Credit increases risk of homelessness and rent arrears, warns CIH Scotland
CIH Scotland has added its voice to growing concerns about the negative social impact and spiralling costs of implementing Universal Credit.
Published 13 March 2017
£58m to combat UK government welfare cuts in Scotland
Almost £58 million will be spent mitigating the impact of the UK government’s welfare reform on households across Scotland, it has been announced, as Westminster vows to press on with plans for further cuts to housing benefit.
Published 6 March 2017
East Lothian Council calls for action on Universal Credit
East Lothian Council has called for government action to help mitigate the impact of Universal Credit on people living in the county.
Published 3 March 2017
Blog: Universal Credit: Rollout speeds up but leaves problems in its wake
A key parliamentary committee has re-launched an inquiry into Universal Credit after receiving disturbing evidence of the problems encountered by tenants from councils. Heather Spurr believes the UK government should use the opportunity to listen to the concerns of tenants and landlords who are dealing with the worrying fallout of the once ‘flagship’ welfare reform.
Published 1 March 2017
MSPs call for action to address ‘systematic problems’ with Universal Credit
Serious systematic problems exist with the new Universal Credit system which will only get worse as a result of the UK government’s planned closure of job centres in Scotland, according to a letter issued by a committee of MSPs.
Published 24 February 2017
Blog: Consultation on Universal Credit regulations
Private landlords representative John Blackwood encourages people to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Universal Credit regulations.
Published 17 February 2017
New budgeting support for Universal Credit claimants
Free online support has been launched to help Universal Credit claimants with their personal finances.
Published 15 February 2017
Welfare reform ‘will cost Dundee economy £100m a year’
The UK government’s welfare reform measures are set to cost Dundee’s economy almost £100 million every year by 2021, according to new research.
Published 9 February 2017
Up to 700,000 households to benefit from flexible Universal Credit payments
The Scottish Government’s plans to introduce flexible Universal Credit payments will benefit up to 700,000 households, it has been revealed.
Published 30 January 2017
Council landlords welcome Scottish Government’s use of new welfare powers
Council housing staff across Scotland have welcomed the news that the Scottish Government will use its new welfare powers to allow the housing element of Universal Credit to be paid directly to landlords and to increase the frequency of payments to claimants.
Published 18 January 2017
Universal Credit flexibility plans welcomed
Last week’s announcement that tenants will have the choice of having the housing element of Universal Credit payments made directly to their housing associations and co-operatives has been welcomed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA) and Shelter Scotland.
Published 16 January 2017
