Labour has called for the Tory government to “pause and fix” Universal Credit as new figures reveal that 4 in 10 working people on the benefit are being told to seek more work.
New figures show that there are now more than 107,000 people on Universal Credit in Scotland. Of that figure, 37,000 are in work with 14,000 working ‘with requirements.’
This means that the person is making less than the equivalent of the national minimum wage at full time hours each week.
The government has to pause and fix universal credit, as these figures show the system is not fit for purpose.
Of the 4,461 people receiving Universal Credit at Hamilton Job Centre, 1313 are working and 616 of those are working ‘with requirements’. This means that 46% of working people in Hamilton who receive Universal Credit could face new sanctions.
The rules around Universal Credit means that these people are forced to increase their income – either with a second job, more hours or a higher paid job – or face cuts to universal credit.
Labour said the figures showed the system was flawed, with over 10 per cent of Scots who are on universal credit and in work facing sanctions, and called on the UK government to pause and fix Universal Credit.
Monica Lennon MSP
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.
That isn’t the fault of working people – that’s the fault of a broken economy which sees wages stagnant, a prevalence of zero hours contracts and a soaring cost of living.
A Labour government would end insecure work and deliver a real living wage of £10 per hour.
Ged Killen MP
the Tory government has no understanding of real life in our communities
Ged Killen, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said:
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.
Andrew Hilland, Labour candidate for Lanark and Hamilton East
Speaking at the recent advice session the local Labour Party 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.
You can sign the Labour Party’s petition calling on the Tories to pause and fix Universal Credit here.
