Emotional support needed for sufferers of diabetes

More than one in 20 teenagers in South Lanarkshire are on Universal Credit.

Analysis of the latest government figures has revealed that 700 youngsters aged between 16 and 19 received the six-in-one benefit in August.

Across Scotland, 10,818 teenagers were claiming the benefit, around one in every 21 16 to 19-year olds.

The figures also revealed that 83.6 per cent of South Lanarkshire’s teenagers on Universal Credit were unemployed, compared to 83.3 per cent across Scotland.

Campaigners said the findings reflected the huge number of people “struggling” on low incomes.

The controversial benefit is a monthly payment to help people struggling with living costs.

It replaced the previously separate child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance and working tax credit.

But the scheme – first introduced in 2013 – has been plagued by management failures, IT blunders and design faults.

That meant the roll-out which was supposed to have been completed by 2017 - fell six years behind schedule.

Two South Lanarkshire councillors have now called GREGOR FARQUHARSON for governments to step up to the plate and do more to help the region’s young people.

Hamilton South Councillor Josh Wilson said: “Universal Credit has proven to be an unmitigated disaster.

“The in-built five-week wait before payment has led people to fall into debt and rent arrears. People on the benefit are relying on food banks and crisis grants just to survive.

“The Tories must halt the roll-out and fix the systematic problems before Universal Credit punishes more vulnerable people.”

Lib Dem deputy leader Mark McGeever (Hamilton West and Earnock) added: “Every young person deserves real opportunities to get ahead and build a promising future.

“It’s completely unacceptable that we still have 16 to 19-year olds who are not either studying or in jobs that will give them a decent start to their working life.

“While in school, young people undoubtedly benefit from dedicated teachers who routinely go above and beyond to give them the skills they need to thrive. Despite this though, there remain real barriers standing in the way of many.

“We need the SNP Scottish government to finally deliver on education, and for the Tory UK government to end the benefits freeze and restore the billions it has

Diabetes Scotland is campaigning for better access to emotional and psychological support for people living with diabetes.

That comes after it was said that 40,000 people in Lanarkshire have been diagnosed with diabetes.

In a recent survey seven out of 10 people admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the condition.

But of those that sought additional support, three-quarters were unable to access it.

Diabetes Scotland believe it should be a routine part of diabetes care provided by NHS Scotland and available to everyone living with the condition across Scotland. taken from universal credit since 2015.”

Earlier this year, the thenDWP Secretary Amber Rudd admitted that the roll-out of Universal Credit had been linked to rising food bank usage.

Answering a ministerial question in the House of Commons, Rudd said: “It is absolutely clear that there were challenges with the initial roll-out of Universal Credit, and the main issue that led to an increase in food bank use could have been the fact that people had difficulty accessing their money early enough.”

Matthew Geer, campaigns manager at the poverty charity Turn2us, said: “The fact that teenagers are having to claim Universal Credit highlights how many families across the UK are struggling on low incomes.

“There are a number of reasons for under-18s to need to claim UC, such as a disability, a caring role, having a child of their own, or if they are without parental support.

“What is vital is that we don’t demonise young claimants, but support them holistically.

“Ultimately, we all want to live in a society that empowers the next generation to develop their skills and enable them to be financially stable.”

The Department for Work and Pensions was contacted for comment.

They are calling on people affected by diabetes to support their ‘It’s Missing’ campaign.

People can do this by contacting their MSP and letting them know that mental health support is too often missing from diabetes care.

You can visit www.diabetes.org.uk/missing for further information and to sign up for campaign updates.

People can also share their experience of diabetes and mental health, and help Diabetes Scotland campaign or find out more.

You can get in contact with Rupert on Rupert.Pigot@diabetes.org.uk or call 0141 245 6380.