The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Universal Credit: Campaigners to protest outside Glenrothes job centre over benefits.
Fears Universal Credit will plunge people into poverty before Christmas
Worried campaigners are to stage a demonstration today as the Universal Credit roll-out hits Fife.
Members of Fife People’s Assembly will protest outside Glenrothes job centre from 11am amid fears the new benefit will plunge people into poverty in the run-up to Christmas.
Fife is the only Scottish region to move to Universal Credit in December as the UK Government gradually changes different forms of assistance into a single monthly payment.
Opponents claim the system is fundamentally flawed, with delays to payments leaving new claimants with no income for up to six weeks.
While Chancellor Philip Hammond announced some changes in his budget statement last month, these do not come into effect until February, leaving hundreds of Fifers facing the prospect of going without a single payment over Christmas.
Fife Council has pledged urgent financial help for those most affected by the change.
Co-leader David Alexander said: “Despite our bitter opposition to Universal Credit, it’s here and it’s likely to cause a lot of misery. It really couldn’t have come at a worse time of year.
“As a council we’ve already allocated around £3 million to help minimise the impact of the UK Government’s changes to welfare reform and 16 welfare support assistants are now employed to help support communities through the changes.”
The council is working with other agencies including Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF) and has developed a new guide, Your Guide to Universal Credit, which can be downloaded from fifedirect.org.uk/benefits.
Claimants are also being given training in digital skills to help them through the online claims process.
Key services will also be open over Christmas and New Year to cope with the expected surge in inquiries.
Council co-leader David Ross said: “We’ve expressed our concerns about these changes and the timing of them over and over again.
“We have support available and have agreed that we will give tenants who qualify a discretionary housing payment (DHP). We have also arranged for help to be made available through the Scottish Welfare Fund.
“This will provide crisis grants tailored specifically to those who meet the criteria and are applying for Universal Credit, helping them without increasing their debt burden.”
Anyone who does not qualify for DHP or a crisis grant is being directed to Conduit Scotland, a not-for-profit alternative to short-term lenders.
Anyone having difficulty with budgeting can visit their local CARF office or call them on 03451 400 095.
Despite our bitter opposition to Universal Credit, it’s here and it’s likely to cause a lot of misery. COUNCILLOR DAVID ALEXANDER