Welfare

More than 285,000 households in financial difficulty have received welfare assistance from the Scottish Government over the past five years, new statistics have shown. Since its launch on 1 April 2013, the Scottish Welfare Fund has issued awards to 285,720 individual households totalling £155.8 mil

Campaigners have urged the UK government to urgently halt Universal Credit as new figures show foodbank use in Scotland has soared to record levels. Figures released by the Trussell Trust show a 17% increase in people relying on foodbanks to subsist - against a UK average rise of 13%.

A right to independent advocacy services is to be extended to more people under Scotland’s new social security service. Ahead of the final vote on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Government has put forward an amendment that would see services provided to anyone who, because of a

Sally Thomas Secretary of state for work and pensions Esther McVey MP will face further calls to pause Universal Credit when she appears before the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee today.

Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey The UK government is to amend regulations so that all 18-21 year olds will be entitled to claim support for housing costs through Universal Credit.

The Scottish Government has made good early progress regarding the establishment of Scotland's devolved social security system but much more remains to be done, auditors have said. The Auditor General said today that recruiting the skilled staff needed for Holyrood’s new financial and social secur

Social landlords in Scotland are likely to experience significant financial pressures as a consequence of changes to the benefit system – according to research from Mobysoft, a provider of rent collection software to the social housing sector. The study – which covered around one third of the UK

Secretary of state for work and pensions Esther McVey MP is to appear before the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee to discuss the ongoing problems with the roll out of Universal Credit and the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland. The committee’s meeting on April 16, which will

The UK government has won a challenge against a ruling that its benefit cap unlawfully discriminates against lone parents with children under two. Court of Appeal judges yesterday ruled in favour of the Work and Pensions Secretary by a two-to-one majority.

Jeane Freeman Key benefits will be future-proofed to ensure they hold their value in real terms under Scotland’s new social security system, social security minister Jeane Freeman has said.

The Scottish Government's Social Security Bill has been strengthened by a round of amendments at committee level. Amendments brought forward by Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman allow for people to receive short-term assistance payments while redeterminations or appeals are undertaken.

Jeane Freeman The Scottish Government has extended its flexible Universal Credit options to all recipients in full service areas to help more people manage their money.

Low income families have received awards of more than £148 million since the creation of the Scottish Welfare Fund in April 2013. The Scottish Welfare Fund comprises community care grants and crisis grants.

Jeane Freeman A new independent scrutiny body that will hold Scotland’s social security system to account is to be created by the Scottish Government.

Alison Johnstone MSP Green MSP Alison Johnstone has lodged a series of amendments to the Scottish Government's Social Security Bill which are designed to ensure that everyone receives the payments they are due.