Welfare

Mary Taylor 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).

Maureen Cope 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).

On a quiet Friday afternoon, the DWP laid draft regulations to end automatic entitlement to housing benefit for 18-21 year olds. Worryingly, these regulations are due to be implemented incredibly swiftly and will be in force from the beginning of April 2017, less than a month after the initial layin

The UK Parliament’s work and pensions and communities and local government committees will hear from housing associations and local authorities today on the UK government’s planned shake-up of supported housing funding. The sessions form part of the committees’ joint inquiry into the future of

Annie Mauger CIH Scotland has added its voice to growing concerns about the negative social impact and spiralling costs of implementing Universal Credit.

Mary Taylor The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and the Scottish Government have accused Chancellor Philip Hammond of failing to alleviate the welfare cuts that the UK government is directing at some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Jeremy Hewer The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has warned that the Scottish Government’s increase in funding for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) is likely to be “overwhelmed” by the further cuts in social security entitlement.

Jeane Freeman 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.

Jim McCormick At least 2,000 people with direct personal experience of the current social security system are being recruited to help shape Scotland’s new system.

Willie Innes East Lothian Council has called for government action to help mitigate the impact of Universal Credit on people living in the county.

South Ayrshire Council is set to make changes to Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) awards in order to bring the council into line with other Scottish local authorities. To be introduced on April 1, the revisions to the council's DHP Policy means that the benefit cap will no longer be included on

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 deal

"Social security is a human right". Social security minister Jeane Freeman blogs about Scotland's approach to its new agency. Earlier this month I marked another milestone as we build our new social security system for Scotland, when we responded to the consultation which has taken me to communities

Three of Scotland’s largest housing associations have joined together to urge the Scottish Government to find a long-term solution on how to fund supported housing to better meet the challenge of an ageing population and help with better integration of health and social care services across the co

Angela Constance Social security and equalities secretary Angela Constance has expressed her anger at the UK government’s announcement that it is to impose new housing benefit regulations in Scotland, which came just days after ministers at Westminster were unable to provide a timetable for the pl