THE Scottish Government is to use new welfare powers to increase the flexibility of Universal Credit payments.
The benefit remains reserved but Scottish ministers have pledged to make payments more frequent and adaptable in the first use of the social security powers devolved under the Scotland Act 2016.
New claimants who live in council areas where a digital claiming system has been set up by the UK Government will have the option to be paid fortnightly instead of monthly.
Tenants in both social housing and the private rented sector will be able to have the housing element of Universal Credit paid directly to landlords.
A consultation is to be launched later this month on the regulations necessary to bring about the changes.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “As part of the social security consultation exercise last summer, we heard direct from people that paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to landlords and receiving more frequent payments would be two important improvements to the DWP approach.
“I am delighted, therefore, that I am able to address these concerns and go further, by extending the direct payment option to tenants with private landlords and deliver these flexibilities for people in Scotland.
“Universal Credit remains reserved to the UK Government but work with DWP to deliver the powers over the flexibilities is progressing. Our priority is to ensure that, when these are devolved to us, we are ready and able to implement them in a way that best meets the needs of the people of Scotland.”
John Blackwood, chief executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords, said: “This should help protect tenancies and minimise rent arrears.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here