Scottish Government claims thousands falling into poverty as a result of welfare reform
Thousands of families are falling into poverty as a result of UK welfare reforms which will reduce Scottish spending by £500 million, it has been claimed.
universal credit
Generation of children falling victim to homelessness and poverty, warns Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn has warned that the Government is “failing a whole generation of children” who are falling victim to rising homelessness and poverty.
Universal Credit sanctions are leaving people ‘destitute’, Inverness CAB warns
Inverness Citizens' Advice Bureau has warned that controversial benefits sanctions are leaving people “destitute” and putting pressure on hard-pressed food banks.
Parents driven into debt as school holiday childcare costs soar, charity says
Parents are having to find up to £800 extra to cover the cost of childcare over the summer holidays, new analysis suggests.
Elgin councillor argues universal credit is doing what it’s designed to do – as council rent arrears mount
Moray councillors have clashed over figures showing the struggle council tenants on universal credit are facing to pay their rent.
Universal Credit having a significant impact on council house tenants in Moray
The roll-out of universal credit throughout Moray last year has led to months of struggle for council tenants, new figures appear to show.
Award-winning Aberdeenshire artist appeals for help to gain British citizenship following death of husband
An award-winning Aberdeenshire-based artist is appealing for help to raise sufficient money for her to apply for British citizenship following the death of her Scottish husband.
MSP demands DWP reverses raft of ‘discriminatory measures’ facing north-east residents with sensory impairment
A city MSP has called on the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to reverse a raft of “discriminatory measures” facing blind and deaf people in the north-east.
Ministers to consider multi-million-pound benefit refund for Highland Council
Ministers are to consider demands to refund Highland Council more than £2.5 million after the costs of the government’s controversial Universal Credit welfare reforms were revealed.
Moray Foodbank expanding and re-branding to offer varied support for those in need
A vital charity is branching out and re-branding as part of an effort to offer a more varied service to local people.
Highlands left millions of pounds ‘out of pocket’ by Universal Credit roll out
Highland Council has been left millions of pounds "out of pocket" by the government's controversial Universal Credit welfare reforms, Inverness MP Drew Hendry has claimed.
Man turned to shoplifting after Universal Credit switch left him penniless
An Aberdeen man said he was forced to turn to a life of crime after changes to his benefits left him with no money.
Service launched in Moray to help ease Universal Credit applications
A Moray charity has launched a new service to help people with Universal Credit applications.
North-east foodbank secures stability with permanent home in face of growing demand
A north-east foodbank has secured a permanent home, ensuring it can continue to help some of the region's most vulnerable people.
Meeting to discuss effects of Universal Credit in Aberdeenshire
The challenges facing people in the north-east applying for Universal Credit were discussed at a public meeting held by the Aberdeenshire West Labour Party.
Brexit and Universal Credit causing ‘extreme difficulties and distress’ for Aberdeen CAB clients
North-east residents are finding themselves “in extreme difficulties and distress” amidst a perfect storm caused by Brexit uncertainty, Universal Credit and the oil and gas downturn.
Alistair Carmichael concerned about impact of slow internet on Northern Isles benefit claimants
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has challenged the UK Government about the increasing amount of online form-filling required to claim Universal Credit.
Bitter debate on Universal Credit at final council meeting of the year
A bitter debate on controversial welfare changes was heard at the city council’s final full meeting of the year.
Moray food bank experiencing one of their busiest ever years
A Moray food bank has been forced to close one of its bases - to pool its resources to meet growing demand.
Benefits changes ‘pushing Aberdonians to the point of despair’
Council house tenants are being pushed further into debt “to the point of despair” by changes to their benefits, according to a leading charity.
Food bank use in Moray on the rise as Tory cuts are blamed
Food bank use in Moray has risen by almost 20% in the last year with the UK government’s welfare cuts to blame, according to a local MSP.
Record-breaking rise in people queuing up for emergency supplies at Aberdeen foodbank
An Aberdeen food bank is urgently appealing for donations following a record-breaking rise in people queuing up for emergency supplies.
Amputee fears becoming hospital bed-blocker over benefits blunders
A motorcyclist who lost his leg and almost died in a horrific crash was told he was “not ill enough” to warrant a hospital visit to set up the benefits payments needed for him to return home.
10% of people on Highland Council’s housing list have no roof over their head as the north’s homeless crisis escalates
The number of homeless people seeking council housing in the Highlands has risen to an “alarming” 690 - at a time the authority is facing a multi-million-pound “crisis” over rent arrears because of Universal Credit.
Universal Credit blamed for ‘startling’ rise in people seeking advice on rent arrears
The roll-out of Universal Credit has contributed to a “startling” rise in the number of people seeking advice about rent arrears, according to new figures.
Shock figures show reliance on foodbanks in Aberdeen
Oil rich Aberdeen is now home to 20 foodbanks, outnumbering other Scottish cities, shock figures have revealed.
Minister under fire for ‘insensitive’ visit to north-east job centre
Pensions minister Guy Opperman has been branded “insensitive” for praising the controversial Universal Credit system at a job centre in Banff yesterday.
Eviction threats after housing agency policy change
Residents on housing benefits have been left ‘hanging’ after an agency changed its policy and threatened tenants in the north east with possible eviction.
MP backs campaign calling for ‘overhaul’ of universal credit
Highland MP Drew Hendry has backed a new campaign calling for a radical overhaul of the Universal Credit system and protect people from the threat of eviction.
Issues likely to arise with digital benefits system for north-east residents
North-east residents may need additional help if they are to successfully claim universal credit due to it being exclusively online, a local charity has warned.
Hendry: Damning report on universal credit vindicates my campaign
Highland MP Drew Hendry has said a damning report on universal credit has vindicated his years of warnings about its introduction.
Benefit delays forcing freed Scottish prisoners to use food banks
Released prisoners are “routinely” taken to food banks to help them cope with benefit delays, ministers have been told.