Welfare

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

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