Welfare

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has persistently dismissed evidence that Universal Credit is causing hardship for claimants and refuses to measure what it does not want to see, according to a committee of MPs. A report from the public accounts committee has concluded that the introduction

Foodbank provider Trussell Trust has issued a stark warning to MSPs that Universal Credit could drive in-work poverty and foodbank use. In a written submission to the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee, the charity said that its analysis showed “an increase in demand for foodbanks i

An influential group of MPs has urged the UK Government to scrap new Universal Credit rules which they claim make it harder for victims of domestic violence to leave abusive relationships. The home affairs select committee said single household payments under Universal Credit are a "retrograde and b

Demand for advice regarding rent arrears in Scotland has increased by 47% over the last five years, new evidence has revealed. A report published today by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), which considers the causes and consequences of this rise, finds that changes to the social security system have b

Sally Thomas Increased funding will not fix the fundamental problems of Universal Credit delivery as the processes need to be fit for purpose as much as policy, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said.

The UK government has come under increased pressure to immediately halt the roll-out of Universal Credit after new reports revealed that struggling homeowners, working single parents and disabled people will be the hardest hit under the new benefits system unless urgent action is taken in the next b

West Dunbartonshire residents are being urged to use a range of council supports to make sure they are prepared for the arrival of Universal Credit next month. The new system, brought in by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), means housing benefit, income support, income-based job seekers al

Derek Mackay Finance and economy secretary Derek Mackay has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to outline the Scottish Government’s “deep concerns” about the impact UK welfare reforms are having on the people of Scotland.

Martin Armstrong As Universal Credit continues to roll out across Scotland’s biggest city, Wheatley chief executive Martin Armstrong explains how the housing, care and property-management group is preparing tenants in Glasgow and beyond for the challenges it presents.

Bob Doris MSP Dundee is to be the focus of a visit by MSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee investigating the issue of in-work poverty and how the social security system impacts on those in-work but experiencing low income.

Assessments for disability support will be carried out by Social Security Scotland, fully supported by public sector healthcare professionals, the Scottish Government has announced. The move, which ensures there is no private sector involvement in the process, is also set to provide people with grea

Melville welfare benefits advisers Jacquie Mather and Andrew Collinge Melville Housing Association’s award-winning welfare benefits advice service is celebrating another hugely successful year during which it helped struggling tenants access over three quarters of a million pounds while achieving

People begging in Glasgow city centre will be helped to apply for benefits by a new roving digital inclusion officer, the local authority has announced. Equipped with a tablet computer, the new digital specialist will work on the streets alongside the Simon Community Scotland’s Street Team – hel

As CIH Scotland submits evidence to the Scottish Parliament's social security committee, policy and practice manager Ashley Campbell takes a look at some of the current problems with Universal Credit. In 2010 the Coalition Government unveiled plans that would shake the foundations of the welfare sta

Annie Mauger Even the lowest private rents are now out of reach for people on low incomes – putting thousands at increased risk of homelessness, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has found.