Welfare

Sandra White MSP 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.

Scottish ministers have yet to reach an agreement with the UK government over a potential reduction in the benefits of claimants in Scotland when the Scottish Government abolishes the ‘bedroom tax’. As part of new social security powers being transferred to Holyrood, the Scottish Government plan

Unexplained variations in the use of benefit sanctions are “unacceptable” and must be addressed, according to a committee of MPs. A new Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report into the use of benefit sanctions has revealed jobcentres and providers use them “inconsistently”, with some Work Pro

Scottish ministers are to seek assurances from the UK government that it will not reduce the benefits of claimants in Scotland when the Scottish Government abolishes the ‘bedroom tax’. Communities, social security and equalities secretary, Angela Constance, made the call for clarity ahead of a m

John Blackwood Private landlords representative John Blackwood encourages people to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Universal Credit regulations.

Free online support has been launched to help Universal Credit claimants with their personal finances. Money Advice Service’s Online Money Manager is an interactive tool that offers personalised advice to help people make the most of their money while on Universal Credit. It offers help and advice

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. A Scottish Government report, conducted by Sheffield Hallam University in 2013, estimated the impact of welfare reform on the city’s economy annually

Parliamentary committees from Holyrood and Westminster will work together for the first time to investigate the successful delivery of the devolution of social security. The social security committee and the Scottish affairs committee will hold two joint meetings in Edinburgh and London in order to

Jeane Freeman The Scottish Government’s plans to introduce flexible Universal Credit payments will benefit up to 700,000 households, it has been revealed.

Angela Constance Communities, social security and equalities secretary Angela Constance looks ahead to the rest of 2017.

In a guest blog for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Shelter Scotland’s Aoife Deery says there are big questions regarding the future affordability of social housing. Four years ago, when the first wave of welfare cuts was breaking, Shelter Scotland ran a high profile campa

Kirsty McKechnie Kirsty McKechnie from the Child Poverty Action Group highlights worrying examples of how the benefit cap reduction is hitting people in Scotland

Elaine McHugh 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.

Mary Taylor 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.

Jeane Freeman The Scottish Government plans to use its new social security powers for the first time to increase the frequency of Universal Credit payments and offer to pay housing benefits direct to landlords.