Demand for split payments system

A Dundee MSP has warned of the heightened threat to women from a Tory benefits policy.

New figures show not one female recipient of Universal Credit has been signed up to split payments in Scotland, which campaigners say can reduce the risks for domestic abuse victims.

Former minister Shona Robison, who represents the east of the city, has demanded the UK Government ends the practice of imposing single payouts for all couples. Arguing for default separate payments, Ms Robison said: “It’s incredibly worrying that not one recipient of Universal Credit in Scotland receives split payments.

“Women’s groups across the country have made clear time and time again this system must be changed to protect vulnerable victims of domestic abuse from further harm.”

UK Government guidance on UC say split payments “should only be considered in certain specific situations”, which includes domestic abuse.

Justin Tomlinson, a work and pensions minister, told MPS in October that any victim of domestic abuse can be given a split payment and said he would like to see the alternative procedure happening more.

He highlighted the complexity of the issue, saying couples would not necessarily be entitled to 50-50 payments. He said: “If the state arbitrarily says somebody should have 70% and somebody else should have 30%, that could have unintended consequences.”