UNIVERSAL Credit claimants in Scotland are being given a choice over their payments as fresh calls were made to stop the “flawed” benefit being rolled out.
People in full-service Universal Credit areas, where people claim and apply online, in Scotland will have the choice of having twice-monthly payments and to have the housing part of the payment go directly to their landlord.
The system, which combines several benefits into one payment in a bid to improve ease of use, is being rolled out across the country following pilot schemes.
The Scottish Government, Labour and the LibDems have teamed up with each other to call for it be halted, citing concerns that is pushing people into debt.
Speaking on a visit of Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau, the Scottish Government’s Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: “Universal Credit is failing the people it is designed to support, driving more people into poverty. The six-week wait, which can often be longer and deliberately built into the system, is unjustifiable – pushing people into crisis and rent arrears, and having to rely on food banks and emergency payments to get by.
“We have no powers to deal with the worst aspects of Universal Credit, including delayed payments, cuts to the work allowances, and the appalling ‘rape clause’ applied to the tax credits within Universal Credit. But where we do have powers, we act to improve where we can this flawed UK benefit.
“[These changes] can help people manage their money in the way that best suits them.”
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