Call for move to end ‘survival sex’ scandal

Equalities minister Christina Mckelvie has called on the UK government to devolve all benefits powers to the Scottish Parliament, claiming it will allow Holyrood to stamp out “survival sex”.

In response to a question from Aberdeen South and Kincardine SNP MSP Maureen Watt about the practice, which sees women turn to prostitution in order to pay for daily essentials, Ms Mckelvie said the name of it alone “makes my blood run cold”.

Ms Watt said a local food bank charity in her constituency, Community Food Initiative North East (Cfine), had been contacted by police to support women who have started to sell sex because of issues with their benefits.

It comes a month after a report on the issue by the work and pensions committee at Westminster.

Ms Mckelvie said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful that women should have to resort to survival sex. Even the term makes my blood run cold.

“It’s a very complex issue, but already it’s clear that women are being affected by Universal Credit’s worst aspects such as the fiveweek wait, punitive sanctions and the hated twochild limit.

“It’s imperative that all powers related to social security are devolved to this Parliament immediately.”