Call to help homes struggling financially due to lockdown

Airdrie’s MP is leading the SNP’s demands that the UK Government urgently introduces a comprehensive range of new measures to protect households hit by financial issues brought on by lockdown.

Neil Gray has made the call after a new report revealed that six million people in Britain have fallen behind on their bills due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The research by Citizens Advice shows one in nine people have reported falling behind on household bills – with around a fifth having to go without essentials – because of the impact of Covid-19. Carers, key workers, black people, people with disabilities and those who are shielding are twice as likely to have fallen behind on payments.

Mr Gray, the SNP Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, has said that it is likely that there will be a rise in this figure if the UK Government continues with plans to wind down the furlough scheme next month.

He added:“These findings show the grim reality of life in lockdown and are another stark warning that the UK Government must urgently bring forward a comprehensive financial support package, strengthen welfare protections and extend the furlough scheme into 2021. With many households witnessing a loss in income or, in some cases, job losses, it is clear that stronger and extended support measures are desperately needed to prevent people taking on unmanageable levels of debt, rising unemployment, and to ensure a strong economic recovery.

“While the support brought forward by the UK Government so far has been welcome, there are still serious hurdles, including DWP pushing people towards debt with Universal Credit advance payments.

“The Chancellor must heed our calls and introduce non-repayable grants instead of loans at the start of Universal Credit claims to prevent more people falling into hardship.

|It is now critical that the UK Government commits to maintaining access to the furlough scheme for as long as is required across each of the devolved nations, invests to stimulate economic growth and boost jobs, considers piloting a Universal Basic Income and explores measures to alleviate the financial burden facing households, including an emergency basic payment, an emergency coronavirus energy grant, a six-month reprieve on utilities being cut off, and a freeze on prices.”