Universal credit changes ‘alarming’

The scrapping of star t- date protections under Universal Credit (UC) is “deeply alarming”, the DWP has been told.

MS P shave warned thousands of S cots are suffering financially because UC no longer automatically back - dates claims from when someone started their application.

Under previous rules, benefits would be calculated from the date an application began but with UC the star t date is only protected if a claimant turns up in person to a job centre when they apply.

Bob Doris, convener of the social security committee in Holyrood, has now written to Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd about “the retrograde step for claimants” and demanded an urgent review of the change.

In his letter, Mr Doris said: “There is no doubt this is a backward step and this illthought-out change will unfairly impact the most vulnerable people in Scottish society. At a recent committee meeting, we heard from Glasgow City Council that each and ever y month 200 claimants, from Glasgow alone, will suffer financially due to the council no longer being able to protect the date of claim.

“This is deeply concerning when you consider the number of claimants that would be affected across Scotland.

“Whether the DWP were aware of the impact this change would have or not, we want to see it swiftly resolved.”