Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 98
98
Many of the stakeholders told us that increasing the amount of money that claimants receive...
Conclusion
Many of the stakeholders told us that increasing the amount of money that claimants receive through Universal Credit would be effective in reducing poverty in Scotland. We heard from Kirsty McKechnie at the Child Poverty Action Group that ‘the way to alleviate poverty is to give people more money and to put the money into people’s pockets so that it becomes a cash-first response to these issues.’237 Nina Ballantyne from Citizens Advice Scotland agreed with this point of view saying that people should be given ‘enough [money] to live on’238 and highlighted that increasing the adequacy of Universal Credit ‘prevents additional strain on public services elsewhere.’239 Professor McKendrick, Glasgow 233 Department for Work and Pensions, Universal Credit: What you’ll get, April 2021 234 The Trussell Trust (WPS0006) 235 Q105 236 Q63 237 Q84 238 Q84 239 Q84 Welfare policy in Scotland 39 Caledonian University, agreed saying that the ‘root of the problem is the adequacy of the income’.240 He argued that ‘most people know how to manage their money. They just need enough money to manage.’241
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Universal Credit has provided a vital safety net for six million people during the pandemic, and the UK Government announced the temporary uplift as part of a £400 billion package of measures put in place that will last well beyond the end of the roadmap. The UK Government focused support on Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit claimants because they were more likely to be affected by the sudden economic shock of Covid-19 than legacy benefit recipients. There was never any plan to extend the uplift to legacy benefits. As the economy recovers, the UK Government’s ambition is to help people move into and progress in work as quickly as possible based on clear evidence around the importance of employment, particularly where it is full-time, in substantially reducing the risks of poverty. The UK Government’s ambitious Plan for Jobs is already delivering for people of all ages right across Great Britain and includes new schemes such as the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme.