City sees more families hit by benefits cap

Dundee has seen the biggest increase in households having their welfare payments capped in Scotland, according to new figures.

The housing benefit limit was imposed by the Conservative Government on 138 homes as of February, an increase of 16% on the previous year.

The SNP warned that the UK Government’s welfare policy “pushes more families into crisis”.

Social security minister Jeane Freeman said: “What lies behind these latest figures are the compelling stories from individuals, local authorities and organisations of misery and hardship.”

Ms Freeman added the Scottish Government has had to mitigate against the Tory austerity, which she said is unacceptable.

The benefits cap in Scotland amounts to £384.62 per week, or £20,000 a year, if you are in a couple and have children.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said that there are now 70 households in Dundee – home to more than 200 children – that have moved into work having previously been subjected to the cap.

“The benefit cap is helping to transform lives by giving children real-life working role models in their families,” the spokeswoman said.

“In the past there could have been families living in cycles of worklessness, without the proper support or incentives to move into work with the security and peace of mind that comes from a regular wage.”

Jeane Freeman says the Scottish Government has had to mitigate against the Tory austerity.