Clare Haughey

More than three- quarters of council tenants claiming Universal Credit in South Lanarkshire are in rent arrears.

The shocking figure was revealed in a report on welfare reform which went before councillors on the technical and housing resources committee last week.

It states that, as of March 31 this year, 79 percent of tenants who were in receipt of Universal Credit were behind on payments.

This is compared to 28 per cent – less than a quarter – of all tenants who are in rent arrears.

South Lanarkshire was one of the areas where there was a “full service” rollout of Universal Credit from October last year.

But the council report states that welfare changes have seen a “significant impact” on rent arrears in the first six months alone.

As of March this year, 2131 council tenants were in receipt of Universal Credit – and 1678 of them were in the red on their rent.

This comes a month after the Reformer revealed that local foodbank volunteers largely blame Universal Credit for more people depending on emergency food parcels. The number of people struggling to put food on the table across Rutherglen and Cambuslang has increased by a third in the past year.

Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank dished out 4,174 three-day emergency food supplies in 2017-18 compared to 3166 the previous year.

Angry foodbank volunteers say the main reason for this jump is due to people having continued issues with Universal Credit benefits.

Processing initial payments can take up to six weeks, often leaving families and individuals in crisis, and the meagre benefits are barely enough for people to get by.

The area’s Labour MP, Ged Killen, said: “These shocking figures show that the government’s roll out of Universal Credit has been an abject failure.

“The government’s ‘test and learn’ approach is appalling. This is people’s lives, not a learning exercise.

“Labour have been calling on the government to pause the roll out of Universal Credit and fix the issues. This high level of rent arrears proves that a rethink is urgently required.

“What is the point of a welfare system if it is driving people into debt and leaving families relying on foodbanks?

“The Tory government’s refusal to even look at the relationship between Universal Credit and foodbank use tells you everything you need to know.

“In 2018, no one should have to rely on a foodbank to put food on the table.”

Rutherglen SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: “These figures released by South Lanarkshire Council are deeply alarming but sadly they are not surprising.

“Since the full- service rollout of Universal Credit last year, I am hearing of more and more constituents who are finding themselves in financial difficulties through no fault of their own.

“The Tory welfare system as a whole is cruel and inhumane. However Universal Credit is one reform too far.

“Not only is Universal Credit disastrous for the person in receipt of it, but it is also preventing local authorities, like South Lanarkshire Council, from using money to benefit our communities.

“The SNP will continue to fight for the halt of the roll-out of Universal Credit so that necessary changes to the system can be implemented – and stop punishing those who need our help most.”

But Tory Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson insists Universal Credit is helping people secure employment and stay in work longer.

He said: “It is difficult to comment on the figures as each case is individual and there could be any number of factors why tenants on UC have fallen behind on their rent.

“What is important is that they get the right advice from the Department of Work and Pensions.

“I would urge anyone who feels that they need help and advice to get in touch with them.

“The best way to help a person pay their rent is to help them find work and Universal Credit is succeeding at getting people into work faster and helping them stay in work longer.”

Other statistics contained in the update on the impact of welfare reform show that there were 3094 council tenants affected by the underoccupancy deduction to benefits and 167 households across South Lanarkshire were affected by the Benefit Cap with a weekly housing benefit reduction of approximately £9,211.20.