Universal Credit

The UK government has announced significant changes to Universal Credit including scrapping the seven day waiting period before a person can apply. In the Autumn Budget announcement yesterday Chancellor Philip Hammond responded to the increasing pressure from MPs, charities and the housing sector by

Sally Thomas 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.

Derek Mackay 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.

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. According to the charity, a record 76,764 three-day emergency food supply packs were given to people in need in the f

Drew Hendry An SNP MP will today host a meeting for stakeholders to share their experience of the roll-out and impact of Universal Credit (UC).

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. An urgent, unanimous report published by the Commons W

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. Due to come into force for social tenants in April 2019, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) proposals

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has approved a Labour request for an emergency debate today over the planned roll-out of Universal Credit. Last week, the Commons backed Labour’s advisory motion calling for the controversial welfare changes to be put on hold by 299 votes to nil.

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. Ahead of the roll out of Universal Credit debate at Westminster yesterday, work and pensions

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. Intended to replace six current benefits (including Housing Benefit), Universal Credit is currently in place across every local au

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. SNP social justice spokesperson, Neil Gray, has said Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, must ensure her MPs stand up for Scotl

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. Under proposals by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Loca

David Ross 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.

Jeane Freeman By minister for social security Jeane Freeman

Kevin Stewart Housing minister Kevin Stewart outlines the reasons behind the new Universal Credit choices for recipients in Scotland and what they mean for landlords and tenants.