The roll out of Universal Credit in Fife is having a devastating impact on families and individuals across the Kingdom. That was the message this weekend from campaigners who were out across Fife raising the issues and asking people to object to this latest change to a host of benefits ranging from housing benefit, tax credits and disability allowances.
Fife MSP Alex Rowley joined campaigners and said:
“The roll out of Universal Credit is about 35% complete so far and the results are quite devastating for those impacted with rent arrears as a direct result topping over £1 million and foodbank referrals increasing by over 300%.
“It is plain to see that something is seriously wrong with the new system with a 60% increase in Scottish Welfare funding being allocated. Since April this year 48% of crisis applications from this fund were due to Universal Credit failures. My own office has dealt with many people who due to disability receive benefits and are finding themselves spiralling into debt over late payments and failures in the system.
Mr Rowley said every public and voluntary sector organisation he has spoken with are reporting a massive increase in people needing support and called once again on the Westminster Government to halt the rollout until it addresses the ‘major flaws’ within the new system.
He concluded:
“It is a scandal that we have a Tory government who know that their policies are driving more and more people to despair and yet they close their eyes to this. The evidence shows that late payments of up to ten weeks are leaving people destitute. I am writing to the Scottish Secretary and the government minister responsible to highlight this latest information on the impact of the roll out in Fife and I am pleading with them to act now to stop this unacceptable situation”.
