Benefits cut will hit families hard
Almost 16,000 people in West Lothian will be hit this month with the cut to the £20 uplift in Universal Credit.
The drop in the amount given to claimants of UC comes into force this week, meaning those on the benefit will lose £80 a month.
A meeting ofWest Lothian Council last week agreed to a motion by the Labour group and opposition SNP councillors to write to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, urging him to reintroduce the payment.
The £20 uplift, which amounts to just over £1000 a year, was introduced during the lockdown last year.
Politicians of all stripes, including many senior Conservatives nationally, have been urging a rethink.
InWest Lothian, as at August 12, there were approximately 15,800 families in receipt of Universal Credit – up 200 on July this year.
The Citizens Advice has warned a third of people on UC will end up in debt when the extra money is removed and said the average shortfall would be between £51 and £55 a month. CAB warned a“perfect storm” of financial changes is set to leave thousands of people worse off.
The local CAB is launching a campaign reminding people that free, confidential and impartial advice is available for anyone who needs it.
West Lothian CAB manager, Brian Jeffrey, said:“People facing tough financial choices in the coming weeks should know that our advice adds up.
“Our advice is free, confidential and impartial.You can call our advice lines on 01506 432977, email us at enquiries@cabwestlothian.casonline. org.uk us, or get our advice online at www.cas.org.uk/our-advice-adds-up.”
In her original motion, SNP member for Livingston South Moira Shemilt said:“These intended cuts are cruel and will have a devastating effect on the most vulnerable in our communities, particularly children in one-parent families.
“Many in our communities, mostly women, could fall into extreme poverty as the country faces the steepest rise in destitution as a result of
Brexit, Covid-19 and unemployment.”
The Labour motion highlighted additional funds set aside to cope with the expected demand on people facing a winter of struggle.
This includes an extra £1million for the Scottish Welfare Fund, £600,000 to help people struggling to put food on the table and money to help with school uniforms and school dinners.
There is also money for welfare rights officers in Whitburn, Broxburn and Livingston to help families develop financial resilience.
Council leader, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “West Lothian Council’s Advice Shop is here to help and would urge anyone affected by the removal of the uplift to get in touch.
“We can offer benefit checks to help maximise income, provide debt & budgeting advice as well as energy efficiency advice.We can also check to ensure that all other financial support has been claimed.”
The Advice Shop can be contacted on 01506 283000, or online at advice. shop@westlothian.gov.uk.