Rent debt rise sparks tenant action call
A spokesperson for Strathallan School said: “Strathallan School can now confirm that the emergency services have been dealing with a death at the school.
“We offer our heartfelt condolences and support to the family and all others affected.
“The chaplain and chapel are available all day for anybody in need of support, and we appreciate your
A Perth councillor has asked the local authority to take urgent action to address a rise in rent arrears which has been attributed to the rollout of Universal Credit (UC) across the region.
City Centre ward councillor Peter Barrett believes some tenants who were already in arrears before being moved onto the controversial new benefit are now at least a further £288 in debt as a result.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat said at a recent respect for the privacy of our pupils, parents and staff as we come to terms with this news.
“We are unable to comment further at this time.”
Almond and Earn ward councillor, Henry Anderson, called the incident “tragic”.
He said: “I pass my sincere meeting of the council’s housing and communities committee an action plan ought to be brought forward to address the fact the rollout of UC has resulted in arrears now amounting to nearly a quarter of a million pounds.
A report considered by the committee that day stated: “Many tenants who move onto UC do so with an existing arrears balance.
The overall impact of UC on the [council’s housing revenue account] for the first 12 months of full service is condolences on to the family and those at the school.
“It is up to the emergency services and the police to investigate it and we will see what comes out of that.” £247,851.”
Cllr Barrett said after the meeting: “The evidence is clear - Universal Credit has caused on average eight weeks rent arrears and additional debts of almost £300 per tenant.
“Confronted with that evidence we have to respond - we have to protect vulnerable tenants and families from a downward spiral of debt.”
He went on: “There is real hardship being caused in our community which goes way beyond technical arrears.
“Simply making provision for greater rent arrears and writing-off arrears is not the answer.
“We need to expand the tenant sustainability fund.
“We need to consider more UC appeals support, where our welfare rights team win three out every four appeals. We need more early intervention and look closely at alternative payment arrangements as well as mitigating impact of third party deductions.”