Local MSP Makes Passionate Plea Against Universal Credit

By theorkneynews on October 4, 2017 • ( Leave a comment )

Maree Todd

Local MSP Maree Todd SNP has made a powerful speech in the Scottish Parliament in the Debate on the Roll Out of Universal Credit. She said:

“Universal Credit exemplifies that colossal lack of empathy and incompetence which has become the indelible hallmark of the Tory government.”

“It’s scandalous the Tories defend the rollout of universal credit when they see the harm is causing.”

“It’s about time to admit that UC is an expensive failure. Rolling out the scheme to thousands of people who are already struggling, just when money is tightest, is cruel to the extreme. Stop it.”

From today (4 October), people in Scotland making new claims in full service Universal Credit areas will have the choice of changing the frequency of their payments from once to twice monthly, and to have the housing cost element of their Universal Credit paid directly to their landlord.

Minister for Social Security, in the Scottish Government, Jeane Freeman said:

“This week I have again called on the UK Government to halt the roll-out of Universal Credit. It is an ill-designed, flawed system that all the evidence shows is causing hardship to people across the country. “

“Universal Credit is failing the people it is designed to support, driving more people into poverty. The 6 week wait, which can often be longer and deliberately built into the system, is unjustifiable – pushing people into crisis and rent arrears, and having to rely on food banks and emergency payments to get by.”

“We have no powers to deal with the worst aspects of Universal Credit, including delayed payments, cuts to the work allowances, and the appalling “rape clause” applied to the tax credits within Universal Credit. But where we do have powers, we act to improve where we can this flawed UK benefit.”

“We are using those powers. From today, people making new claims in full service Universal Credit areas will be offered the choice of changing the frequency of their payments from once to twice monthly and to have the housing cost element of their Universal Credit paid directly to their landlord – social or private. This can help people manage their money in the way that best suits them.”