Universal Credit
Blog: The challenges for Scottish RSLs with Universal Credit
Peter Steele recently met with 11 housing associations across Glasgow over the course of a week. Some of the key themes and challenges they face are highlighted in Mobysoft's latest blog.
Published 7 December 2017
Scots MPs to call for more Universal Credit flexibility and debate its impact on terminally ill people
MPs will this week continue to put pressure on the UK government to “tackle the flaws” in the roll out of Universal Credit before it forces “more into poverty”.
Published 27 November 2017
Chancellor announces £1.5bn package to improve Universal Credit
The UK government has announced significant changes to Universal Credit including scrapping the seven day waiting period before a person can apply.
Published 23 November 2017
SFHA urges UK government to take responsibility for consequences of Universal Credit implementation
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) is calling for the UK government to act urgently on Universal Credit as the implementation of the policy is pushing tenants into debt and poverty as well as jeopardising the financial sustainability of housing associations.
Published 15 November 2017
Chancellor urged to use Budget measures to protect households from further austerity
The Scottish Government is calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond to abandon their “failed” austerity agenda and stop the rollout of Universal Credit to enable “fundamental flaws” to be fixed.
Published 13 November 2017
Charity calls for Universal Credit changes as food bank demand hits record levels
The Trussell Trust has called for urgent action to improve the system of Universal Credit after new figures revealed a 20% rise in the use of food banks in Scotland in the last year.
Published 7 November 2017
SNP MP to host summit to examine Universal Credit impact
An SNP MP will today host a meeting for stakeholders to share their experience of the roll-out and impact of Universal Credit (UC).
Published 3 November 2017
Work and Pensions Committee urges government to cut Universal Credit waiting period
MPs have called on the UK government to reduce the waiting period for the first Universal Credit payment to a maximum of one month after saying that “no proper justification” has been offered for the minimum six week term currently in place.
Published 27 October 2017
LHA U-turn hailed as ‘a victory for the housing sector’
The UK government has dropped proposals to impose the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap to supported housing and the wider social housing sector following widespread criticism of the policy.
Published 26 October 2017
Labour secures emergency debate on Universal Credit roll-out
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has approved a Labour request for an emergency debate today over the planned roll-out of Universal Credit.
Published 24 October 2017
Removal of helpline charge welcomed but Universal Credit rolls on
The UK government has bowed to pressure by agreeing to introduce a free helpline for people seeking information on Universal Credit but has rejected calls to pause the roll-out of the controversial benefit.
Published 19 October 2017
Universal Credit and the impact on housing associations and their tenants
With research showing that the average level of arrears for Universal Credit claimants is £770, it is crucial that housing providers and their tenants are ready for it.
Published 19 October 2017
MPs urged to vote against Universal Credit roll-out ahead of Westminster debate
The SNP and Scottish Labour have called on MPs from across political divide have to vote on a debate on Universal Credit today and halt its roll-out across the UK.
Published 18 October 2017
LHA cap will leave 12,000 younger Scots facing £8.6m rent shortfall
Around 12,000 mainstream social tenants across Scotland aged under 35 could collectively face an annual rent affordability gap of up to £8.6 million when a UK government cap on housing benefit into force, according to a new report.
Published 11 October 2017
Fife Council calls for the roll out of Universal Credit to be suspended
Fife Council has reaffirmed its opposition to the implementation of Universal Credit and has called for the roll out of the welfare reform to be suspended over concerns of the severe impact it will have on individuals and families in the region.
Published 9 October 2017
