Paisley families ‘are plunging into poverty’
A politician has blasted the UK Government’s benefits policy
Paisley MSP George Adam was speaking following a published this week by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee that called for the reversal of UK government welfare cuts that it claims have caused “significant damage” to the income of people in the town and across Scotland.
Introduced in 2016, the working- age benefit freeze is said to give a real-terms cut to households claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Child tax credits, and Tax Credits.
The report found that, “the benefits freeze has a disproportionate impact on the poorest and those in most need.”
‘Social Security and In-Work Poverty’ has also urged the UK government to re-think its controversial Universal Credit system, backing calls to end the five week waiting period for first-time claimants to receive a payment – suggesting a maximum of two weeks would be more appropriate.
Mr Adam said: “Here in Paisley and across Scotland, families are falling behind on rent payments and daily living costs thanks to the Tories’ damaging welfare policies.
“In Paisley alone, I have seen numerous families plunged into poverty after waiting months for their first payment, only to come up against a brick wall when attempting to contact the DWP for help. This is simply not acceptable.
“More and more households simply can’t get by – forcing many of those on Universal Credit to rely on emergency welfare support and foodbanks to feed themselves.
“The UK government cannot continue to stick their heads in the sand - it’s time to listen to the pleas from claimants, campaigners and charity groups for fundamental reform of Universal Credit and an end to the benefits freeze.”