Benefit protest in city centre

ACTIVISTS have called for the “destruction” of Universal Credit as it’s rolled out in Dundee and Angus.

The controversial new benefit encompasses six benefit provisions i nto one and is being introduced across Scotland.

Campaigners staged a protest calling for Scottish politicians to reject the roll-out.

Members of the Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network and Dundee Against Austerity met in the city centre to express concerns.

Dr Tony Cox, of t he Scottish Unemployed Workers’ Network, said: “Our biggest concern is that it’s having a major impact on people’s mental health. There is going to be enormous costs placed upon the NHS because of the havoc the reforms are creating.

“We get stories on a regular basis of people who have attempted suicide or who are contemplating suicide as a result of the welfare reforms.

“Universal Credit i s designed to make your life so unpleasant when you’re on it that you’ll do anything rather than be on it.”

Former SNP councillor Jimmy Black, who chaired D u n d e e ’s Fairness Commission report, said: “Universal Credit might have been a good idea, but they’ve taken so much money out of it through cuts and have made it so difficult to claim, that people are effectively destitute for several weeks and months.

“It’s going to be really tough for people.”