Tories’ Universal Credit rollout pledge shows that Theresa May is not listening

With the announcement at the Tory Party conference in Manchester by Theresa May that the rollout of the highly controversial Universal Credit will continue, I believe that she has made a serious mistake even 12 people in her own party have advised her to put the plans on hold.

Universal Credit was the ‘brainchild’ of Ian Duncan Smith, whose benefits reform speeches demonised those seeking work as workshy and it is obvious this has been passed on to Jobcentre staff who treat clients with disdain and contempt. It is going to cause serious problems for jobseekers and tenants with private landlords.

Many people claiming this allowance are short of money and often don’t have money to fall back on in savings, and with claimants having to wait up to six weeks for the first payment,the government have come up with a plan to offer claimants a loan to be repaid from benefits.

This is not helpful and is going to encourage people to get into debt. By receiving a large lump sum once a month, how is that going to work for people who have problems managing money or have addiction issues?

This system is unfair and has been badly thought out. All Theresa May’s speeches about making this country fairer are simply hot air. This is an example of neglecting the most needy in society and the Conservatives showing how out of touch they really are with ordinary people.

GORDON KENNEDY Simpson Square, Perth Brian Monteith (‘The Spirit of Teddy Taylor can live on through Davidson’, Scotsman, 2 October) was wrong to suggest that Ruth Davidson should quietly give May’s government her full backing.

In caring about people and party, Ruth Davidson has an appeal that her party has lost.

Theresa May, looking forlorn at the conference, used to be the future for those who weren’t nasty. Now her nasty party does not appeal to those under 40.

Boris Johnson, inebriated with verbose exuberance, beckons the party to its funeral – even as he tells us that the ‘will of a small majority of the people’ is more important than democracy and Parliamentary sovereignty. By contrast, Ruth Davidson sends the party the SOS it needs to hear. Her message is clear ‘Save us from the sorry spectacle of sordid splits and socialism’.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh