MP says government 'don't want to listen' over universal credit problems

MP Drew Hendry has blasted the UK government for "not wanting to listen" to the devastating impact he claims the system of universal credit is having in the Highlands.

Pro-Scottish independence group Inveryess2 organised a recent discussion event at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness to look in more detail at the new benefit system which has been being trialled in the north since 2013, ahead of a national roll-out.

Mr Hendry has led a long-running campaign against the new system which seeks to replace six benefits including housing benefit and working tax credit with a single payment.

Having raised the issue of constituents struggling to cope under the new benefits system many times in the past and invited to speak to the audience of around 70 people he said: "I have come to the conclusion that the government do not want to listen.

"Instead they are determined to make sure austerity falls onto the backs of the low-waged, the disabled and the most vulnerable in our society.

"Every time I raise the issue in parliament I get the same old replies.

"I am fed up of the same old empty rhetoric."

Mr Hendry has previously spoken out about constituents left with virtually nothing as they wait for payments under the new system to kick in or losing money after being severely sanctioned for rules breaches.

"Not a week goes by when I do not meet or receive an email from someone facing eviction because their universal credit payment has not arrived," he said.

Giving the audience an example of just one case his office has had to deal with recently he said: "Bill came to my office desperate for help.

"He has worked in the same job for years and he has always had the same wage and yet month after month, mistake after mistake, he has only ever had the correct payments from the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) twice in a year.

"He is a single parent and his daughter needed a new pair of shoes yet he is too terrified to buy them because he does not know what he is going to get in terms of money at the end of the month.

"He knows if he buys his daughter the shoes and if the payment is wrong again he will not have money to feed his children or even put the heating on."

He added: "I am not criticising those who work for the DWP but I am critical of the system itself."

As the Courier previously reported Mr Hendry organised a welfare surgery which brought together several local charities at Merkinch Community Centre recently, to look at ways they might work together to better tackle poverty.

Aiming to be the first of many that will offer needy residents the chance to seek confidential advice about any concerns regarding welfare in a one-stop shop environment Mr Hendry said: "Five years into universal credit and I thought I had heard it all.

"But the stories these local organisations had to share were just as harrowing as any we had ever come across."

And he added: "The number of homeless people in the Highlands has risen to 690 (since the introduction of universal credit).

"That is a whole village of homeless.

"There are 690 people in our community left destitute without a roof over their head."

Speaking afterwards a spokeswoman for Inveryess2 said: "Drew Hendry has spoken in parliament of the terrible effects universal credit has had on many of his constituents, but to no avail.

"There has been no reaction from the UK government.

"Now that problems are being felt elsewhere it is important that we continue to support his efforts."

"We thought it was an excellent presentation and it was very informative.

"Drew gave us a lot to think about."

Also responding afterwards to Mr Hendry’s comments a spokesman for the DWP insisted universal credit offered a better way forward for benefits claimants.

"Universal credit replaces an out-of-date, complex benefits system with cliff edges that often trapped people in unemployment," he said.

"Under universal credit, evidence shows people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer.

"Through our test and learn approach we are listening and responding, with significant improvements already made.

"We brought in improvements which include increasing advances to 100 per cent, removing the seven-day waiting period and paying people’s housing benefit for two weeks while they wait for the first universal credit payment.

"We continue to spend around £90 billion a year on working-age benefits, including for those on low incomes.

"Meanwhile, Scotland has significant welfare powers, including to top-up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits altogether."