Oral Answers to Questions

Ruth George Excerpts

Wednesday 8th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[David Mundell]

An announcement on the Scottish towns fund will be made shortly.

[Ruth George (High Peak) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the effect on low-income families of the roll-out of universal credit in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell)]

Evidence shows that universal credit is working. We are working closely with the Scottish Government to help them achieve their goals on UC flexibilities. UC Scottish choices are now available to all claimants in Scotland on full service who are not in receipt of a Department for Work and Pensions alternative payment arrangement.

[Ruth George]

The Scottish choices do not help people to be paid differently if they are receiving less, and Citizens Advice Scotland has raised numerous concerns about the process of migrating on to UC. In one case a 24-year-old single parent was left £90 a week worse off. What are the Government doing to ensure that those on natural migration are aware of their entitlements and do not suffer like that financially?

[David Mundell]

I am always willing to look into individual cases, and we are working extremely closely with the Scottish Government on their proposals to make the changes they are able to make under the Scotland Act 2016, but of course the Scottish Government are also able to make additional payments to any individual if they choose to do so, but so far they have not chosen to do so.