Recommendation 117

The Poverty Alliance in their written evidence to us highlighted that from their research they found that the five week wait was ‘the most negative aspect of Universal Credit for many people.’295 They argue that the policy is a major driver of poverty and destitution and has forced people into income crisis and food insecurity.296 Citizens Advice Scotland also highlighted that for people who have no savings or without family or friends to borrow money from the policy ‘forces people to use foodbanks; accumulate debt; and, causes detriment to their physical and mental health.’297 Their evidence also notes that: ‘A significant number of people do not have a financial buffer in the form of a final month’s salary to rely on during the five week waiting period [ … ] [and] 1 in 4 people living in Scotland have less than £500 in savings.’298