MP fears ‘devastating’ effect on families

Fife politicians have expressed concern about the “devastating repercussions” of Universal Credit.

North East Fife SNP MP Stephen Gethins said a recent report by the independent thinktank Resolution Foundation had revealed working families would be an average £625 a year worse off.

Single parents are likely to lose an average of £1,350 a year, while 1.1 million two-parent families will lose £2,770.

Mr Gethins said: “To roll this out just before Christmas could result in some devastating repercussions for families who are already struggling financially.

“I would ask anyone who finds themselves in this situation to contact my office or Citizens Advice for help.

“Constituents in the Taybridgehead area have already been involved in the Dundee rollout because of their postcode and it is no coincidence that the number of people visiting foodbanks is rising.”

Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said she was “incredibly concerned”.

“As the new system has been brought in across the UK, many people have experienced lengthy delays in receiving payments as their claims are assessed,” she said.

“To think that vulnerable families in Fife may have to go without proper financial support between now and the new year is heartbreaking.”

Ms Somerville said it was time for the UK Government to take notice of the fact that “fundamental flaws” in the system were imposing unnecessary hardship on people.

“No one should be going hungry this Christmas, or at any point for that matter,” she said.

The UK Government has defended Universal Credit, saying claimants were moving into work faster and staying in work longer than under the old system.

A spokesman said: “The vast majority of people are paid their Universal Credit in full and on time and advance payments and budgeting support is available.”