Charities want next Scottish Government to resist "damaging" benefit changes
Proposed changes to social security payments will put women and children at risk of abuse, a coalition of charities has warned.
The Westminster Tory government plans to change how Universal Credit – a mix of benefits rolled into one payment - is paid.
Instead of going to individuals, Universal Credit will be paid to households.
However, charities say this will increase financial dependency and remove a lifeline from women and families who are at risk of abuse.
They are demanding the incoming Scottish Government refuse to accept the “damaging” policy when aspects of social security are devolved to Scotland.
The single household payment will only increase women’s financial dependency and increased risk
Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA), said: “Research suggests that 89% of all women who are abused by a partner experience financial abuse as part of domestic abuse, so to cut off what is for many women their only independent income is clearly short-sighted, unhelpful and dangerous.
“The single household payment will only increase women’s financial dependency and increased risk.”
SWA has joined with the Poverty Alliance, Engender and the Scottish Trades Union Congress in creating a paper arguing that the new Scottish Parliament should pay entitlements individually.
Emma Ritch, executive director of Engender, said: “It has been pledged that the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament will be used to foster dignity and respect. Offering individual payments is a clear way to honour this pledge.
“We know that the UK system of offering household payments fails those who need most support and exacerbates inequality.”
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “It is important that where a couple has a joint award of Universal Credit, the default position should be that the payment is split to ensure that individuals have access to independent resources.
“This is particularly important for tackling the gendered nature of poverty and ensuring that women are not trapped in abusive relationships as a result of financial resources.
“We know that women are more likely to be in poverty than men and women are more dependent on the social security system for their incomes.”
