LABOUR IN BENEFIT SPLIT CALL

SCOTTISH Labour have called for Universal Credit payments to be routinely split between partners to help women experiencing domestic abuse.

Leader Richard Leonard urged Nicola Sturgeon to use new welfare powers to implement the change – and Sturgeon said she thought the measure was “worthy of further consideration”.

While split payments can be arranged, the benefit is usually paid into one bank account per household.

Charities including Engender and Scottish Women’s Aid fear this could trap people in abusive relationships.

SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford has published a Bill at Westminster aimed at addressing the concerns.

Speaking during FMQs at Holyrood, Leonard said: “Child benefit is usually paid directly to the mother. It gives a degree of financial independence and is more likely to be spent on the children.

“That is something Labour want to see with all benefits, particularly Universal Credit. We think it should be automatically split between the two partners in a relationship.

“Yet just last week, SNP MSPs here voted against split payments in the Social Security Bill.

“I want to see change across the UK but why are this Government blocking the delivery of benefit payments directly to women in Scotland?”

Sturgeon agreed to consider splitting the payments but added: “We don’t have full control over Universal Credit, so we cannot always unilaterally make

the changes that we want to make.”