Recommendation 20

We welcome the improvements made to the advance payment system, such as the doubling of the amount of time to repay, and a reduction in the rate at which deductions can be made. We also acknowledge the advance system is in place for people who require money quickly, however, the weight of evidence received suggests that this policy poses more problems than it solves in terms of people addressing poverty in Scotland with claimants having to pay back their advance payment in monthly instalments meaning their Universal Credit payment is less, making paying for essentials much harder.