The introduction of Universal Credit will plunge some of Fife’s most vulnerable families deeper into poverty, the region’s political leaders have warned.
The SNP’s David Alexander and Labour’s David Ross have called for the UK Government to halt the introduction of its controversial benefits system, which is due to be implemented in December.
The administration co-leaders say that the six week wait experienced by new claimants could result in families going without food or heating over the festive period.
Mr Ross said that experiences from other parts of the country, where payment delays have left people struggling to make ends meet, should act as a warning as to what Fife should expect in two months time.
“It is flawed in its design and implementation,” he said.
“It is becoming increasingly discredited as the impacts become evident.
“Systems for its rollout are inadequate, the IT is not in place and there is still a lot of work to be done with administrative arrangements.
“A suspension would also give us the opportunity to lobby hard for a complete change in direction.
“Universal Credit will have a huge impact on the claimants that rely on it.
“They are forced to make the choice between eating, heating, or going into debt.
“It is hugely damaging to those who rely on these benefits and it needs to be halted now.”
Mr Ross continued that the introduction of the scheme would hit the local economy to the tune of £153 million and he predicted a soar in council tenants falling behind in their rent.
His co-leader, the SNP’s David Alexander, described evidence for postponing the introduction of Universal Credit as “overwhelming”, adding: “We cannot mitigate everything they (the UK Government) do.
“It is clear the system is broken.”
The UK Government has committed to the accelerated introduction of Universal Credit, with 50 job centre areas a week now adopting the system.
It claims that the new scheme rewards work and simplifies the benefits system, despite teething problems.
Conservative councillors claimed that efforts had been undertaken to convince UK Government ministers to postpone the rollout in Fife, but to no avail.
Local party councillor for Dunfermline South, also named David Ross, said: “Work should pay.
“It is a disgrace that it is happening over Christmas but in the long-term Universal Credit will help and make sure that people are not worse off when their personal circumstances change.”
