Universal Credit is slammed
The SNP’s new deputy leader has drawn attention to a report on the controversial Universal Credit being considered tomorrow (Thursday by Stirling Council.
Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown says the report is evidence of continuing failure of the welfare benefits policy and should“ring alarm bells”with the UK Government.
However, Stirling Tory councillors say Mr Brown is muddying the waters with his comments ahead of what they had hoped would be a sensible discussion on how best to help local people through the Universal Credit process.
Council officials say that, since Universal Credit was fully introduced to all new claimants in the Stirling Council area last June, the local authority has noted a major impact on clients because of payment delays, an increase in rent arrears, and increased demands on related council services.
Mr Brown said:“The impact has been severe, with many struggling to pay bills, including rent, and increased instances of people seeking assistance from third sector organisations because they are struggling to cope. Last month I wrote to third sector groups, elected representatives of all parties and Stirling Council seeking evidence on the effect of benefit sanctions which have become so prevalent under the Tories, and the evidence I received was that the adverse impact - particularly on the most vulnerable – under current welfare arrangements was significant. Universal Credit rollout must be stopped immediately, and the manifest failures of the policy urgently addressed.”
However, Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny said:“The report to the council is based on the work of a cross party group, led ably by [Labour] Councillor Chris Kane, that performed its task very well and bought forward some sensible proposals that make sure the local authority’s policies support people on Universal Credit. We hope these good recommendations will be agreed at the council meeting. The report also actually repeatedly shows that the many changes already put in place by the DWP are working.
“Mr Brown wrote to all and sundry asking for submissions saying that he would submit them to a Westminster inquiry. He didn’t even bother to send anything. It was all, as usual, done for political effect rather than to actually support his constituents.”