Hundreds of Lanark and Hamilton East workers face brutal sanctions

More than 400 workers in Lanark and Hamilton East risk being punished for having a low paid job under the UK government’s controversial new welfare system.

Recently released figures show that there are now 3,376 people on Universal Credit in the Lanark and Hamilton East constituency.

Of that number, 931 are in work with 428 working ‘with requirements’, which means the person is making less than the equivalent of the national minimum wage at full time hours each week.

The rules around Universal Credit force people to increase their wage if they earn less than a full time worker on minimum wage – either with a second job, more hours or a higher paid job – or face cuts to their benefits.

Labour said the figures showed the system was flawed, with more than four in ten local workers on Universal Credit facing sanctions for not earning enough cash, as the local party announced plans to hold a string of advice sessions across the constituency.

Andrew Hilland, Labour candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East

Speaking at the recent advice session held in Hamilton, Labour’s candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East Andrew Hilland said:

It’s a disgrace that hundreds of local workers could face sanctions on Universal Credit for being paid poverty wages.

This is the result of a broken economy that forces people into low paid jobs and zero hour contracts, while living costs continue to soar.  Eight wasted years of Tory austerity are to blame, not working people.

He went on the pledge that “A Labour government at Westminster would end insecure work and deliver a real living wage of £10 per hour.“

The local Labour Party held it’s first advice surgery in Fairhill, Hamilton in August and plans to take them across the constituency in the coming months with Andrew Hilland saying he wishes “to hear how the community is being impacted by the changes, and to offer people assistance in navigating this complex and punitive system.”

Throughout Scotland there are more than 107,000 people on Universal Credit.  Of that figure, 37,000 are in work with 14,000 working ‘with requirements’.

Monica Lennon MSP

Commenting on the figures Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet Spokesperson for Communities, Social Security and Equalities Monica Lennon said: 

The government has to pause and fix universal credit, as these figures show the system is not fit for purpose.

Up to 14,000 Scots could face sanctions on universal credit because they aren’t earning enough, including over 600 workers in Hamilton.

Ged Killen MP

Ged Killen, MP for the neighbouring constituency of Rutherglen and Hamilton West, also commented on the figures saying:

Universal Credit was designed to support people into work but these figures show that working people in Hamilton are being penalised by a broken system.

After almost a decade in power, it is clear the Tory government has no understanding of real life in our communities. Only Labour has a radical plan to invest in an economy that works for everyone and not just a few at the top.

You can sign the Labour Party’s petition calling on the Tories to pause and fix Universal Credit here.