►
Description
Members' Business
Debate on the subject of—
S5M-07056 Alex Rowley: Support for Citizens Advice Scotland's Call to Stop Accelerated
Roll-out of Universal Credit—That the Parliament notes with concern the reported evidence from
Citizens Advice Bureaux regarding the initial roll-out areas in Scotland, and elsewhere in the UK,
which it believes highlights that the reality of universal credit risks leaving many people in Scotland
without the support they need, pushing them into debt and leaving them unable to make ends
meet; is further concerned that Citizens Advice Scotland, it understands, has reported that
evidence from initial roll-out areas shows that, since universal credit was introduced, bureaux have
seen a 15% rise in rent arrears issues compared to a national decrease of 2%, and an 87%
increase in Crisis Grant issues compared to a national increase of 9%, and that two of the five
bureaux in impacted areas have seen a 40% and 70% increase in advice about access to food
banks, compared to a national increase of 3%; notes the call from Citizens Advice Scotland and a
host of antipoverty organisations across Scotland for the UK Government to pause the accelerated
roll-out of universal credit until the reported design and delivery problems have been addressed;
notes the comments from the Chair of Citizens Advice Scotland, Rory Mair, that “universal credit
has major delivery and design flaws which risk hurting families instead of helping them. These
include long waits for payments that push people into crisis and debt, all the while battling a highly
complicated process with little support”; considers that it is not right to proceed with the
accelerated roll-out of universal credit in the knowledge that it will, it believes, result in tens of
thousands of men, women and children in the Mid Scotland and Fife region and across Scotland
being driven into debt and rent arrears and having to turn to foodbanks just to survive, and notes
the calls on the UK Government to pause the process, listen to the evidence and act accordingly
to address the issues.
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A
In
the
gala
tea,
the
namesake
of
business
is
a
members
business
to
be
to
motion
705
six
in
the
name
of
Ali
Riley
on
support
for
Citizens
Advice
Scotland's
call
to
stop
accelerated
rollout
of
universal
credit.
This
debate
will
be
concluded
without
any
questions
being
put
with
those
members
who
wish
to
speak
in
the
debate.
Please
press
the
request
to
speak
buttons
now
and
I
call
Alec
Riley
mr.
Riley
seven
minutes
so
there
abouts,
please
Thank.
B
You
presiding
officer
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
supported
the
motion
that
allowed
this
debate
to
take
place
today.
I
bring
this
motion
here
today
to
both
the
support
of
the
Scottish
Parliament
behind
the
call
from
Citizens
Advice
Scotland,
supported
by
much
of
civic
Scotland,
to
hold
the
role
of
universal
credit
and
address
the
issues
of
concern.
My
point
is
quite
straightforward:
why
would
any
government
and
a
civilized
society
continue
to
roll
out
a
new
power
say
that
they
know
is
going
to
heart.
B
Tens
of
thousands
of
people
drive
people
and
today
to
rely
on
charity
to
feed
themselves
and
resolve,
and
even
more
people
and
in
our
country
being
driven
anti-poverty.
This
cannot
be
right
and
as
not
right
and
the
Tory
party
must
thank
again
listen
to
Civic
Scotland
and
stop
this
wrong.
I
raised
this
motion
here
for
debate
today,
after
versa
and
various
community
organizations
across
Scotland,
where
I
heard
firsthand
the
direct
experience
of
people
and
what
people
are
having
to
deal
with
where
the
role
of
universal
credit
has
taken
place.
B
I
not
only
held
the
issues
that
people
are
facing,
but
the
increasing
problems,
organizations
that
haven't
and
trying
to
help
people
cope
with
this
role.
Citizens
Advice
Scotland
published
a
briefing
in
July
calling
for
a
halt
to
the
accelerated
rule
of
universal
credit.
On
the
back
of
this,
I
wrote
to
the
Secretary
of
State
for
what
campaigns,
as
well
as
every
MP
and
the
country,
asking
them
to
support
the
call
made
by
Citizens
Advice
Scotland
every
part.
B
A
an
organisation
that
wants
to
help
alleviate
poverty
should
work
together
to
ensure
that
people
don't
suffer
as
a
result
of
this
rule
of
universal
credit.
The
motion
that
we
have
to
be
in
here
today
highlights
the
problems
that
Citizens,
Advice
Scotland
have
found
and
the
pilot
rollo
areas
on
top
of.
Thus
only
last
week,
25
Scottish
third
sector
organisations
published
a
joint
letter
calling
for
the
role
of
universal
credit
to
be
halted.
This
week
we
have
seen
an
intervention
from
the
Church
of
Scotland
draw
an
attention
to
the
experience.
B
People
were
seen
in
churches
across
Scotland.
It's
clear
to
everyone
that
something
is
needing
to
be
done
to
resolve
these
issues,
but
that
would
seem
everyone
apart
from
the
Tories
who
seemed
to
be
burying
their
heads
in
the
sand
and
are
in
complete
denial
of
the
facts.
Alongside
the
letters
I
wrote
to
every
MP
in
the
country,
I
also
draw
to
Ruth
Davidson
Allen
haff
to
lend
her
support
to
the
calls
made
by
Citizens,
Advice
Scotland,
but
sadly,
I've
never
had
Barlow.
B
Mark
I
would
appeal
to
the
Tories
in
Scotland
to
Ruth
Davidson
sparked
a
to
get
behind
civic
Scotland
and
call
for
the
role
of
universal
credit
to
be
halted
and
told
these
issues
can
be
addressed.
I
did
receive
a
response
from
the
UK
money
star,
the
Minister
for
employment
law
by
claiming
that
the
government
do
not
agree
with
the
conclusions
of
Citizens
Advice
reserved,
the
minister
went
on,
and
I
quote,
the
report
is
based
on
evidence
from
a
self-selecting
group
of
people.
B
This
is
just
another
classic
example
of
the
Tories
denying
a
problem
exists
as
they
continue
to
attack
those
least
able
to
defend
themselves,
and
then
the
process
drive
up
poverty
and
our
country.
The
fact
is
that
there
has
been
a
15%
increase
and
rent
arrears
and
the
87
percent
increase
in
crisis
grants
and
a
massive
increase
and
food
bank
use
and
areas
where
universal
Claire
that
has
been
ruled
out
is
not
right
to
simply
ignore.
B
Thus
one
of
the
biggest
problems
we
have
heard
enough
time
and
time
again
with
universal
Claire
that
as
the
sex
week
waiting
period
at
the
start
of
the
claim
before
payment.
This
is
one
of
the
things
that
is
driving
the
increase
and
rent
arrears
and
food
bank
reliance.
What
was
the
government's
response
to
this?
The
minister
said
and
has
led
up
to
me.
Many
people
comment
to
universal
credit,
will
have
a
wage
for
their
previous
from
the
previous
job
to
cover
their
expenses
and
tell
the
get
the
first
payment.
B
Harrell
of
thought
is
that
Tory
government
they
are
driving
people
anti
poverty,
forcing
people
to
rely
on
charity
to
feed
themselves,
and
they
simply
assume
people
will
have
enough
and
the
sames
they
cover
their
expenses
for
six
weeks.
They
are
wrong.
Indeed,
Citizens
Advice
Scotland,
published
research
earlier
this
year
shown
that
22
percent
of
the
public
have
no
savings
to
fall
back
on
well
a
further
24
percent
at
less
than
two
months
and
come.
B
This
just
goes
to
show
you
again
how
much
the
Tories
don't
understand
what
the
today
life
is
like
for
so
many
people
and
their
country.
Unless
the
delay
period
for
payments
as
facts,
there
is
a
huge
risk
of
driving
individuals
and
families
further
anti-poverty.
The
government
should
not
be
defending
these
issues,
but
instead
recognizing
the
problems
that
they
are
causin
and
commit
defection
them
before
they
cause
even
bigger
problems.
Further
down
the
line,
it's
clear,
the
sister
is
deeply
flawed
and
we
must
work
together
to
address
that.
B
I
repeat:
no
government
should
inflict
some
on
its
essence
that
is
going
to
do
more
damage
than
good.
No
government
should
piece
people
people
further
anti-poverty.
No
government
should
be
so
arrogant
to
ignore
the
concerns
raised
by
individuals,
organizations
and
communities
the
length
and
breadth
of
her
country
until
we
find
a
solution
to
the
problems
found
and
universal
credit
I
art
everyone
within
this
Parliament
to
support
the
calls
to
halt
the
accelerated
row.
I.
Thank
you,
presiding
over.
A
A
couple
of
housekeeping
issues:
if
you
intend
to
be
called
to
speak,
you
must
press
the
request
to
speak
button
and
a
couple
of
members
haven't
done
that
and
can
I
also
say
I'm.
Twelve
members
wishing
to
speak
and
I
minded,
therefore
to
accept
a
motion
without
notice
under
Rule.
Eighteen
point.
Fourteen
point
three
to
extend
this
debate
by
up
to
thirty
minutes.
Could
I
invite
mr.
Riley
to
move
that
motion.
Yes,.
C
A
D
Banks
features
or
four
minutes,
please
thank
you
very
much
presiding
officer
and
thank
you
very
much
to
Alec
Rowley
for
bringing
this
debate
to
the
chamber
debate.
That
I
believe
is
timely
and
also
imperative
tamely
because
my
constituents,
the
people
of
Hamilton,
lot
:
stone
house
who
live
within
South
Atlantic
Council
are
the
next
local
authority
to
receive
the
full
rollout
of
Universal
Credit
and
make
no
mistake,
presiding
officer.
The
reason
why
this
debate
is
imperative
imperative,
because
there's
botched
rollout,
is
detrimental
e
affecting
life's
and
that's
just
pure
and
simple.
D
We
are
seeing
people
not
claimants,
not
customers,
not
service
users,
people,
human
beings
going
for
up
to
seven,
we
without
any
form
of
welfare
from
the
government
7
weeks,
potentially
without
food,
without
electricity
or
other
power
without
sustenance.
The
list
goes
on
and
on
and
on
notice.
I
didn't
offset
up
with
at
bat
in
my
speech
this
morning
before
I
had
some
news
just
about
two
hours
ago
from
the
selfless
volunteers.
I
know
very
well
at
the
Hamilton
and
District
Food
Bank
the
true
heroes
of
the
front
line
of
defendant
people
from
Tory
reform.
D
They
have
advised
me
that
they
know
of
people
who
came
to
see
them
today,
waiting
12
weeks
for
any
form
of
welfare
as
a
result
of
the
Universal
Credit
changeover
12
weeks,
three
months
late.
That
Sinkin.
Imagine
that
was
you
what
a
family
member,
essentially
what
this
rollout
has
achieved.
His
aide
in
office
as
a
Tory
engineered,
systematic
shutdown
of
any
form
of
life
for
the
deserving
poor,
as
they
were
Twitter
loss
to
have
the
immense
misfortune
to
find
themselves
in
times
of
trouble.
D
But
I
met
with
a
desolate
silence
from
the
UK
government
about
like
Ruth
Davidson's
answer
to
mr.
Raleigh's
letter.
It
reeks
of
callous
and
cruel
nature,
which
has
become
synonymous
of
this
concern.
Conservative
government.
This
is
a
partial
introduction,
phase
of
universal
career
that
was
in
South
Atlantic
sure
my
constituents
have
faced
a
complete
myriad
of
problems
from
significant
delays
and
repayments,
forcing
hundreds
and
Terios
hunger
and
destitution
to
an
incomprehensible
help
system.
D
What
a
laughs
help
system
whereby
people
are
unable
to
contact
a
universal
credit
processing
center
to
resolve
any
of
the
issues,
and
whilst
we
hard
to
at
breakneck
speed
into
the
ever
growing
digital
economy,
we
can't
leave
behind
those
people
who
brought
us
here.
We
can't
leave
behind
those
who
are
lacking
the
technical
online
literacy
needed
to
complete
that
deliberately
and
I
mean
deliberately
complicated.
Dwp
forms,
that's
not
hyperbole
that
they
are
designed
to
be
complex.
D
They
are
the
sick
to
exclude
the
vulnerable,
the
needy
and
the
hopeless
they
aim
to
debate
and
cause
unnecessary
hassle
for
those
who
somehow
have
the
audacity
to
make
a
claim
from
this
government.
The
evidence
is
there
and
it
cannot
be
not
ignored
within
the
two
authorities
of
Scotland
that
have
the
most
experience
of
the
fill
service,
East
Lothian
and
Highlands
approximate
82%
and
the
receipt
of
Universal
Clara
RN
arrears.
This
decision
has
real
consequences
and
for
sale
on
exert
to
the
tune
of
4
million
pounds.
D
This
is
the
amount
they
have
had
to
put
aside
to
mitigate
the
cost
of
the
rollout,
an
absolute
chronic
waste
of
resources
that
money
could
have
been
added
to
schools,
houses,
health,
instructor
infrastructure.
Anything
you
want
all
just
to
deal
with
our
government
who
wants
to
demonize
those
at
risk,
presiding
officer,
the
rest
of
the
safety,
their
well-being
of
women
and
children,
and,
regrettably,
children
who
will
go
hungry
because,
as
Tory
government
and
system
continue
in
the
failed
attempts
just
like
that
sinking.
D
Instead
of
heeding
the
warnings
from
cap
from
all
of
the
charities
from
local
authorities
from
welfare
rights
organisations
and
listen
to
those
who
matter
the
people
on
universal
credit,
the
Tories
will
continue
to
make
children
hungry
to
put
their
welfare
and
deputy
presiding
officer
I,
for
one
will
not
allow
the
Tory
pursuit
of
ideological
welfare
reform,
jeopardize
any
of
my
constituents
and
once
again,
I
thank
Alex
all
week
for
bringing
this
very
important
debate
to
Parliament.
Thank.
E
Officer
can
I
apologize,
firstly
to
you
and
to
the
minister
in
threat
to
the
chamber.
Unfortunately,
I
have
to
leave
early
now
with
the
extent
of
debate
as
I've
been
called,
to
give
evidence
to
the
Adam
Bush
family
inquiry
which
afternoon
the
scale
of
change
of
welfare
over
the
last
few
years,
has
been
dramatic
or
which
universal
credit
is
one
of
the
more
significant
and
ambitious
I
suspect.
E
One
thing
we
can
all
agree
upon
within
this
chamber
this
afternoon
if
the
current
benefit
system
is
extremely
complex
and
claiming
to
entitled
to
different
benefits
from
different
agencies,
Houston
benefit
from
local
authorities,
other
benefits
from
HMRC,
and
so
it
goes
on
silver
age.
A
wide
support
for
the
principle
underlying
Universal
Credit,
which
simplifies
Social
Security
by
replacing
a
complex
and
chaotic
system
which
is
damaged
people
helva
back
in
dependency
and
track
their
life
for
generations.
E
Each
Logan
was
the
first
local
authority
in
Scotland
to
go
for
the
full
service
in
March
2016
last
year,
I
had
pleasure
to
visit
most
of
her
job
centre,
who
Universal
Credit
is
changing
away,
but
the
Jobcentre
words
simpler
administration,
cleanup
staff
to
meet
with
people
face
to
face
employment
outcomes
that
matter
most
sorry,
I
don't
have
time.
I
saw
the
way
job
sent
to
staff
in
Bridgeville
the.
E
Now,
when
any
new
system
is
introduced,
especially
one
as
ambitious
as
universal
credit,
there
are
going
to
be
operational,
Calise,
citizen,
vise,
Scotland
is
concerned,
and
rightly
so,
at
the
most
vulnerable
citizens.
But
we
must
make
sure
that
that
does
not
stop
what
is
happening
on
the
ground
and
manage
successfully
often
for
individualized.
It's
forgotten
in
propaganda
from
your
other
parties,
with
a
miss
chamber
in
East
Lothian,
with
DWP
of
boarding.
E
Universal
Credit
is
a
single
monthly
payment
but,
as
we
all
know,
the
Scottish
Universal
Credit
still
remains
a
reserved
to
the
Westminster,
but
the
Scotland
Act
2016
gauge
the
Scottish
government,
the
power
to
Bailey
housing
costs,
elements
for
people
renting
their
homes
and
to
active
payment
arrangements,
and
we
took
evidence
this
morning
in
the
so.
Can
you
conclude
promise?
Yes.
I
therefore
support
the
law
like
of
universal
credit.
Thank.
A
F
Presiding
officer-
yes,
indeed,
universal
credit
was
to
be
a
new
flexible
system,
all
the
things
that
Jeremy
Balfour
talks
about,
but
no
wonder
actually
Jeremy.
You
would
take
an
intervention
on
this
because
if
your
eyes
were
open
to
this,
you
would
see
the
objective
that
was
aimed
up
for
universal
credit
is
far
from
where
we
are
now
Universal
Credit.
Rule
8
is
an
unmitigated
disaster.
F
Is
before
your
very
eyes.
What
more
proof
do
you
need?
We've
discussed
many
times
in
this
chamber.
The
six-week
waiting
period
alone.
I
mean
it
sounds
like
Riley
says
in
his
opening
remarks.
There's
an
absolute
nonsense
that
any
one
of
us
could
survive
without
our
salaries
for
six
weeks,
never
mind
no
income
for
six
weeks,
even
if
the
government
were
prepared
to
fix
the
six-week
problem,
I
would
have
some
respect
for
the
opposite
benches,
but
they
are
just
continuing
regardless
of
this.
F
F
The
Chartered
Institute
of
housing
in
Scotland
has
warned
that
the
new
Universal
Credit
to
date
has
led
to
tenants
faintly
increasingly
difficult
to
pay
the
rent
on
time.
It's
an
obvious
thing,
an
obvious
failure
about
the
system.
The
welfare
reform
impact.
In
a
recent
report
published
by
how
smart
consultants
ensure
that
the
average
rent
arrears
date
of
a
universal
credit,
claimant
was
618
pounds
compared
to
a
non
universal
creator,
arrears
of
131
pounds.
What
more
evidence
do
you
need
conclusion
presenting
or
presiding
officer?
It's
a
serious
issue
which
we
must
get
some
action
on.
F
G
Let
me
remain
the
chamber
what
has
happened
in
this
attack
so
far,
the
Tories
have
cut
30
pounds
a
week
from
disability
benefit,
Employment
Support
Allowance,
hitting
those
unable
to
work.
They've
implemented
the
heated
to
child
tax
credit
limit,
which
takes
money
from
low-income
mothers
and
fathers
who
desperately
need
it.
They've
removed
the
family
element
of
working
tax
credits
again
hitting
low
income
parents
hard
and
young
people
aged
18
to
21
have
been
locked
out
of
Housing
Benefit.
G
That's
just
some
of
the
measures
taken,
presiding
officer,
Universal
Credit
has
got
off
to
a
terrible
start
and
it's
to
be
radically
extended
this
autumn.
This
extension
must
be
delayed
as
a
former
board
member
of
Eastern
Berkshire
Citizens
Advice
bureaux.
I
was
all
too
aware
of
the
fears
of
the
bureau
staff
before
the
implementation
of
this
system.
These
hard-working
staff
were
in
the
front
line
and
could
foresee
the
misery
it
would
cause
to
so
many
people
already
struggling
to
make
ends
meet
every
day.
Sadly,
their
fears
have
been
realized
with
universal
credit.
G
Benefits
are
paid
in
a
lump
sum,
leaving
many
recipients
unable
to
budget
and
increasing
their
risk
of
homelessness.
Food
and
fuel
poverty.
Eastern
Barton
sure,
is
one
of
the
five
Bureau
piloting
the
so-called
full-service
Universal
Credit,
and
in
these
areas
there's
been
a
15
percent
rise
in
rain
early
years
compared
to
a
national
decrease
of
two
percent.
There's
been
a
lot
of
statistics
mentioned
today,
but
I
think
they
are
worth
repeating
facing
of
disability.
G
Just
think
about
that
two
of
the
viewer
have
seen
a
14
70
percent
increase
in
food
bank
advice
compared
to
a
national
increase
of
3
percent
and,
as
we've
discussed,
39
percent
had
waited
more
than
6
weeks,
which
is
deemed
acceptable
by
the
Tories,
who
evidently
expect
people
to
live
in
fresh
air
to
receive
their
first
payment.
The
fact
that
this
application
can
be
owned
only
be
made
online
makes
the
process
even
more
shambolic.
G
G
Pretty
simply
people
are
thinking
further
into
deprivation,
thanks
to
a
rollout,
riddled
with
error
and
that
all
that
must
be
paused
until
key
problems
are
addressed.
No
organisation
would
go
ahead
with
a
scheme
that
has
failed
so
badly
in
a
trial,
but
as
ever,
the
Tories
will
play
one
with
their
disastrous
policy,
regardless
of
the
human
cost
presiding
officer.
Universal
credit
is
emblematic
of
the
bitter
and
cruel
treatment
of
people
under
this
UK
Tory
government.
G
Thankfully,
the
Scottish
Government's
approach
to
shaping
our
own
social
security
system
could
not
be
more
different,
even
with
the
limited
purrs
we
are
receiving
in
the
name
of
humanity.
Will
the
Tories
admit
that
this
system,
as
a
disaster
and
stopped
the
roulade
to
err,
is
human,
but
to
combine
them
it
combined?
A
mistake
is
simply
madness.
Thank
you.
I.
H
You
presiding
officer
I'd
like
to
thank
Alex
Riley
for
securing
this
important
debate.
Today
we
have
heard
much
about
the
botched
rule
out
a
few
niversity
of
credit
and
my
own
constituents.
A
mussel
burrow,
will
know
about
the
problems
that
have
been
caused
better
than
anyone
as
muscle.
But
I
was
one
of
the
first
areas
where
universal
credit
was
tasted
during
the
Social
Security's
committee's
investigations
into
universal
credit.
H
Earlier
this
year
we
heard
and
met
with
universal
credit
credit
recipients
in
Mossel
Borough
of
health
conditions
that
had
worsened
because
of
the
stress
of
not
knowing
whether
or
not
they
could
pay
the
rent.
We
heard
from
others
having
to
make
endless
numbers
of
calls
on
expensive
phone
lines
waiting
anxiously
for
a
callback
that
never
came
due
to
the
coal
volumes
staff
were
experiencing
perhaps,
and
some
told
members
that
he'd
had
to
leave
their
jobs
precisely
the
opposite
impact.
Universal
Credit
seeks
because
payment
delays
meant
that
they
couldn't
afford
to
pay
for
childcare.
H
These
claims
aren't
only
made
by
the
child
poverty
Action
Group
I
would
add
that
this
analysis
is
shared
by
the
Independent
Office
for
Budget
Responsibility,
which
has
said
that
Universal
Credit
is
now
and
I'm,
quoting
less
generous
on
average
than
the
tax
credits
and
benefit
systems
that
it
replaces
and
light
of
this.
It
seems
like
a
very
cruel
joke
indeed,
that
the
white
paper
that
launched
Universal
Credit
claimed
and
I
quote
again.
No
one
will
experience
a
reduction
and
benefit
they
receive
as
a
result
of
the
introduction
of
universal
credit.
H
The
white
paper
also
promised
that
900,000
people,
including
350,000
children,
would
be
lifted
out
of
poverty,
see
pag
claims
that
the
opposite
is
the
case,
with
universal
credit,
putting
around
1
million
children
across
the
UK
into
poverty.
No
wonder
the
UK
government
no
longer
make
these
claims
and
have
repeatedly
not
responded
to
requests
for
a
poverty
impact
assessment.
H
I
am
closing
presiding
officer
and
I
would
just
like
to
close
by
saying
that
Greens
have
previously
called
for
the
UK
government
to
listen
to
the
experience
of
Universal
Credit
recipients
and
improve
it,
and
then
lay
these
calls
raised
by
Citizens,
Advice,
Scotland
and
many
others.
Third
sector
organisations
and
parties.
It's
clearly
time
to
take
action,
hold
little
hope
until
the
problems
around
Universal
Credit
are
resolved.
Thank
you.
Thank.
I
Thank
You
presiding
officer
and
can
I
thank
Alex
Rowley
for
bringing
this
to
beat
the
chamber
floor
today.
In
the
previous
session
of
this
Parliament
I
had
the
privilege
of
serving
as
the
deputy
convener
of
the
then
welfare
reform
committee
and
in
my
duties,
I
contributed
to
a
number
of
reports
and
investigations
into
welfare
reform.
I
contributed
to
the
United
Nations
investigation
into
the
effect
and
disabled
people
of
the
welfare
reform.
I
I
mean
oh
no,
that
United
Nations
has
said
that
this
is
will
be
a
humanitarian
catastrophe
visited
and
the
people
of
the
UK
by
their
government.
In
the
face
of
this,
in
the
face
of
the
information
that
we've
had
from
all
of
the
third
sector
organisations
from
cab,
those
who
signed
the
declaration
asking
for
universal
credit
not
to
be
ruled
out
in
the
face
of
all
of
this
I
cannot
understand
why
the
Tory
benches
cannot
recognize
what
is
happening
in
their
own
country.
I
I
had
the
privilege
in
2008
no
I'm,
sorry
I'm
not
got
time
in
2015
I
visited
the
pilots
in
the
Highland
to
investigate
how
well
Universal
Credit
was
being
ruled
out
the
Ariat
a
series
of
panels,
including
a
DWP
panel,
in
which
we
were
able
to
ask
questions
of
my
over
in
place
a
time
it
was
a
fraught
with
manual
intervention
process.
It
gave
great
concern
about
the
sustainability
and
ruling
out
across
the
country.
They
had
phoned
fixes
to
problems,
but
the
council
and
the
third
sector
organisations.
I
Bold
words
were
said
that
these
were
no
way
scalable,
which
gave
them
great
concern
furthered,
although
of
universal
credit.
The
rural
aspects
of
universal
clay
that
were
raised,
transport
time,
expense
issues
for
interview
times
and
also
something
already
trees,
but
Polly
McNeil
amongst
others.
This
afternoon,
the
digital
exclusion
of
people
and
their
ability
to
access
the
Internet
to
apply
for
credit,
the
seasonal
fluctuating
and
nature
of
some
of
the
the
employment
in
the
rules.
Concession
C's
was
also
confound
concern
and
they
reported
that.
I
Eighty
to
ninety
percent
of
those
in
universal
credit
would,
in
rain
to
the
years
compared
to
twelve
to
fifteen
percent
of
those,
not
the
average
rate
areas
for
non.
You
see.
Tenants
was
two
hundred
pounds
for
universal
claimant
credits.
It
was
over
a
thousand
pounds
and
for
those
in
temporary
accommodation
it
was
two
thousand
one
hundred
pounds.
I
The
average
rent
arrears,
the
universal
credit
claimants
were
potentially
an
idiot
from
the
minute
to
the
apply
because
of
the
five
week
period
then,
and
you
in
Highland,
but
was
here,
had
a
12-week
delays
this
afternoon
in
the
chamber.
The
DWP
had
no
idea
of
the
impact
that
this
could
have
on
landlords
and
if
nothing
else,
you
think
the
Tories
would
be
on
the
side
of
the
landlords
and
the
entrepreneurs.
They
had.
I
No
idea
that
the
housing
benefit
payment
would
cause
an
issue
and
was
the
no
longer
had
direct
payments
to
landlords
and
also
the
fact
that
in
chaotic
lifestyle
situations
where
people
moved
accommodation
that
the
landlord
may
in
fact
receive
no
payment
whatsoever.
These
things
have
been
well
rehearse
this
afternoon.
Many
of
the
issues
have
already
been
raised
by
my
colleagues.
J
Thank
You
presiding
officer,
I
rise
in
support
of
the
motion.
I
should
start
by
apologizing
for
leaving
early
I,
have
to
chair
a
meeting
of
a
patience
group
that
did
not
anticipate
the
extension
of
this
debate.
I
often
speak
with
hyperbole
in
this
place
about
the
various
responsibilities
that
we
discharge
as
decision-makers,
both
in
this
Parliament
and
in
Westminster,
but
the
safety
net
that
we
provide
for
those
who,
for
whatever
reason,
cannot
provide
for
themselves,
should
be
the
measure
of
any
civilized
society.
J
Now
my
party
has
a
proud
history
in
the
genesis
and
introduction
of
the
welfare
state
in
the
early
days
of
the
20th
century,
with
the
first
state
pension
under
Lloyd
George
and
in
the
nineteen
forties,
under
that
great
liberal
William
Beveridge,
who
was
the
catalyst
for
the
advent
of
Social
Security
when
he
identified
the
original
giant
evils,
as
he
describes
him
of
ignorance,
idleness
swallow
want
and
disease.
It
is
a
failure
of
progress
that,
if
you
strip
out
that
antiquated
language,
that
many
of
those
evils
still
hold
sway
in
our
society
today
we
presiding
officer.
J
We
should
remember
that
until
this
decade
and
that,
since
their
introduction,
the
systems
of
welfare
in
this
country
had
not
undergone
significant
reform,
despite
generations
of
incremental
modification
welfare
reform
itself,
for
something
sought
by
poverty
campaigners,
third
secretary
organizations
and
academics
for
decades,
so
that
we
could
dispense
with
unneeded
red
tape
and
inject
much-needed
social
mobility
into
the
system.
It
fell
to
my
party
in
its
period
of
coalition
government
to
Co
preside
over
over
this
much-needed
redesign.
I
would,
however,
that
we
had
had
different
bedfellows
in
that
task.
J
There
are
elements
of
that
system
which
now
underpin
the
process
that
I
take
no
pride
in
at
all,
and
aspects
of
the
new
systems.
I
still
find
shameful.
Nevertheless,
I'm
glad
that
we
were
there
for
I
dread
to
think
of
the
welfare
system
are
conservative
partners
would
have
designed
unencumbered,
and
we
all
saw
the
measure
of
the
ideological
compass
behind
conservatives,
social
policy
in
that
ill-fated
Manifesto
published
by
Theresa
May
in
the
spring.
So
today
we
debate
the
flagship
aspect
of
welfare
reform
agenda.
The
row
light
of
universal
credit
I
support
the
motion
today.
J
It
does
not
suggest
that
we
tear
up
welfare
reform
or
even
jump
the
universal
credit,
but
it
does
speak
to
the
human
cost
of
the
inadequacies
of
its
roll
out.
A
large
undertaking
such
as
this
may
well
have
been
expected
to
have
teething
problems,
but
the
difficulties
in
the
areas
of
Scotland,
where
it
has
started,
go
far
beyond
that,
where
people
are
switching
over
to
the
universal
credit
have
had
have
had
to
endure
a
sixth
weight
weight
and
more
before
receiving
their
first
payment.
J
This
is
intolerable
in
2017
and
a
material
risk
to
that
person's
well-being
and
that
of
their
family,
but
simply
presiding
officer.
It
is
pushing
families
into
crisis.
Citizens
Advice
Scotland,
as
we
have
heard,
have
reports
of
many
clients
resorting
to
emergency.
Stop
caps
like
food
banks,
crisis
grants
food
parcels,
while
others
are
going
into
significant
rent
arrears,
so
I
rise
in
support
of
the
cause
of
my
colleagues
on
the
Labour
benches
for
the
Parliament
to
support
a
total
halt
in
any
further
rollout
of
the
new
system
of
universal
credit.
J
Until
those
errors
have
been
given
light,
you
in
this
debate
have
been
properly
addressed.
It
makes
no
sense
to
pile
on
regardless
ignoring
the
huge
impact
on
vulnerable
families
that
has
resulted
from
crucial
payment
delays
with
25
different
stakeholders
all
backing
the
call
to
stop
the
process.
We
as
a
parliament
must
surely
listen.
The
accelerated
rollout
that
is
due
in
October
must
be
delayed
to
prevent
any
more
people
being
pushed
into
financial
crisis
unnecessarily.
Thank
you.
Thank.
K
Well
every
one
he
has
said
a
member
of
the
committee
and
otherwise
is
absolutely
true
and
obviously
must
have
seen
one
thing:
it
certainly
wasn't
the
treatment
or
the
way
that
Jeremy
Baffert
saw
it
the
way
he
apparently
is
sees
universal
credit.
We
were
taking
evidence
from
various
people,
it's
already
be
mentioned.
I,
don't
want
to
go
over
the
whole
thing,
but
you
know
after
we
were
finished
a
lady
or
during
the
evidence,
actually
a
lady
burst
into
tears.
K
She
had
just
received
a
chair,
a
text
on
her
mobile
phone,
to
tell
her
that
her
money
had
been
cut.
You
said
that
I
just
mentioned
the
fact
that
these
mobile
phones
to
be
seemed
like
tags,
because
every
single
day
they
had
to
sell
him.
That
diary
summary
is
Paula.
Neil
had
already
said
this
had
to
be
put,
and
what
team
basically
did
you
do
this?
What
teams
you
do
that?
K
You
can't
pay
your
bills,
you
can't
buy
food.
You
can't
even
go
anywhere,
and
this
is
supposed
to
be
a
civilized
society
and
Universal
Credit
is
supposed
to
be
according
to
Jeremy
Balfour.
The
best
things
is
what
we
say:
sliced
bread.
It's
absolutely
opposite,
and
you
know
people
we
spoke
to
have
said
yeah.
We
need
simplification
and
the
social
security
system
and
they
didn't
so
much
welcomed,
open
arms,
but
it'll
prepare
to
look
at
it
and
what
quiver
but
what's
happened
is
an
absolute
diabolical
mess
and
it
needs
to
be
stopped.
K
No
and
that's
why
I've
signed
up
with
various
other
organizations
individual
to
stop
the
and
halt
the
rollout
of
universal
credit,
as
literally
and
I
mean
this
really
literally
killing
people,
and
we
need
to
stop
that.
People
who
are
vulnerable
people
who
are
disabled
people
with
mental
health
problems
is
literally
telling
them,
because
it's
such
a
bad
system
at
the
moment
with
it
all
so
I
do
appeal
another
students
of
who
the
Tories
they're,
because
they're
the
only
ones
who
seem
to
think
it's
great
appeal
to
them.
K
L
Thanks
busy,
no
stone
I
have
to
leave
after
my
speech,
and
thank
you
like
really
for
bringing
this
vital
debate
to
Parliament
I
see
today.
Let
me
see
the
Tory
party
adopting
the
exact
same
practice
as
they
practiced
and
the
rape
caused.
The
bi1
tokenistic
speak
of
the
Huff
today
for
rhythm,
told
to
come
here
instead
by
the
web's
unwilling
to
take
part
in
the
debate
and
Wales
Tompkins.
Where
is
he
where's,
the
Social
Security
spokesperson
who's
supposed
to
be
here?
Defend
them?
L
That's
disgraceful
policy,
he's
off
three
jobs:
Tom's
Tompkins,
no,
even
here
to
defend
the
policy
and
yet
the
Elector,
vulnerable
and
poor
people
a
bit
the
benefits,
a
universal
credit.
What
an
utter
disgrace!
They
are
I
wholeheartedly.
Heartedly
support
the
anti-poverty
organisations
and
the
call
to
the
UK
government.
If
poised
universal
credit
and
told
all
of
these
problems
have
been
resolved.
L
Given
the
impact
that
someone
on
my
constituents
across
the
audience
and
the
impact
that
will
continue
to
have,
if
it's
not
stopped,
how
that
will
impact
and
knock
these
600,000
scores
most
people
most
normal
people
that
had
a
job
loss,
a
relationship
breakdown
or
an
accident.
What
a
diagnosis
are
we
from
the
benefits
system
I've
been
in
that
position
many
times
in
my
life?
Not
all
of
the
people
out.
L
There
are
privileged,
like
those
different
sects
thousand
pound
a
year,
nor
all
of
them
I've
got
the
opportunity
to
have
two
or
three
jobs
or
inherited
wealth
to
sustain
them.
But
this
is
not
a
discussion
about
other
people.
It's
about
everyone
in
your
society
who
may
at
some
time
grow
ie
or
not
increasingly
worn
safety,
net
citizens,
vase
and
others
are
really
calling
for
a
freeze,
so
today's
policy,
so
these
issues
can
be
addressed
and
the
impact
of
those
new
rules
and
policies
relating
to
the
administration,
the
Universal
Credit,
our
corners
of
Latinos.
L
If
we
see
crisis
grants
up
eighty
seven
percent
and
food
bank,
you
saw
seventy
percent.
How
can
anyone
tell
us
that
this
is
a
system?
That's
working?
How
can
you
tell
us
that
it
just
makes
no
sense
whatsoever?
I
commend
the
Scottish
government
for
rain
to
the
cabinet
state
right
into
this,
a
UK
government
calling
for
a
halt
to
that
service.
Unsurprisingly,
that
call
went
unheeded
by
there
really
caring,
compassionate
Tories
and
the
SNP
government
stated
that
that
will
continue
to
press
that
case.
I
hope
it
doesn't
I
hope.
L
All
of
the
rest
of
us
continue
to
place.
That
case,
however,
no
more
needs
to
be
done
and
see.
Pike
and
others
have
suggested
some
way
for
was
that
report
last
week
from
the
United
Nations
on
a
United
Nations
Committee
on
the
rights
of
persons
with
testability
on
the
UK
government's
performance
and
how
it
deals
with
disabled
people
should
be
I,
don't
care
what
party
you're
in,
but
surely
you've
got
the
self
respect
to
see,
but
that
is
absolutely
shameful
treatment
to
all
the
people
in
our
communities
who
have
disabilities.
L
That's
just
absolutely
incredible
that
you
can't
even
bring
yourself
to
say
that
is
disgraceful.
I
thought
some
of
the
people
in
those
benches
had
more
self-respect
than
that.
This
Parliament
will
continue
and
must
continue
to
apply
pressure
and
the
Tories
and
I
support
the
call
by
CPI
and
others
for
greater
investment
and
discretionary
housing
payments.
L
M
You
presiding
officer
and
thank
you
Alec
Crowley,
for
bringing
forward
this
really
important
matter
for
debate.
I
welcome
this
joint
later
and
the
cross-party
support
is
received
and
I
hope
that
it
will
finally
make
the
UK
government
take
notice
of
the
devastating
impact
that
Universal
Credit
is
having
on
people.
Although,
given
the
response
of
the
one
conserved
member
who's
contributed
to
this
debate
so
far,
today,
I
don't
feel
too
optimistic.
M
As
members
will
be
aware,
universal
credits
already
operational
in
the
Highland,
so
it
was
piloted
in
Inverness
and
it
now
covers
the
whole
of
Highland
Council
area
because
of
the
problems
we
encountered
in
Highland
and
in
the
other
pilot
areas,
angela
constants
already
called
for
the
UK
government
to
halt
the
rollout
back
in
march,
absolutely
no
avail.
It's
yet
another
example
of
the
UK
government,
not
listening
to
the
people
of
the
highlands,
are
not
listening
to
the
people
of
Scotland.
M
As
others
have
said
in
this
debate,
one
of
the
main
problems
is
that
new
claimants
have
to
be
up
to
six
weeks
before
having
their
first
daemon
and
longer.
In
some
circumstances,
I
knew
it's
difficult
for
people
in
privileged
positions
who
come
from
wealthy
backgrounds
to
understand,
but
most
ordinary
people
cannot
manage
to
survive
for
six
weeks
with
no
income.
M
Lengthly
delays
are
resulting
in
tenants,
building
up,
rent
arrears
and
being
pushed
to
seek
crisis
or
hardship
payments
and
turning
to
food
banks
myself
and
my
colleague
drew
Henry.
Mp
have
been
campaigning
for
many
months
to
have
the
rule
out
a
full
service
of
universal
credit
halted.
Earlier
this
year
we
invited
gene
Freeman
the
Minister
for
Social
Security
in
Scotland
to
round
table
and
meeting
in
Inverness,
so
she
could
listen
firsthand
to
the
evidence
of
harm.
M
M
The
client
that
vulnerable
person
has
to
navigate
this
impossible
system
on
their
own,
the
most
powerful
testimony
that
we
heard
at
that
meeting
was
from
Macmillan
CA
B.
They
helped
people
who
are
terminally
ill
to
put
their
affairs
in
order
before
they
died.
These
folks
have
a
limited
amount
of
time
and
they
spent
the
last
months
of
their
lives,
worrying
and
navigating
an
impossible
system.
Any
politician
worth
their
salt
would
look
at
this
Dickensian
policy
with
its
colossal
design
flaws
and
realized
that
it
has
to
be
halted.
M
N
Please
Thank
You
Debra
presiding
officer,
anti
Raley
for
bringing
us
debate
to
Parliament
today.
According
to
the
latest
statistics,
an
estimated
54,000
people
in
Scotland
are
claiming
universal
kleider.
Universal
credit
was
designed
to
ease
the
transition
from
welfare
and
to
work.
It
was
designed
to
reflect
people's
earnings
and
changes
in
their
income
1/4
month
and
to
reflect
people's
wage.
We
couldn't
say
well
that
is
weekly
fortnightly
or
monthly.
N
N
If
what
is
to
pay
their
welfare
payments
obvious
need
to
adapt
to
pay
and
turn
that
in
some
form
of
assessment,
the
waiting
period
at
the
star
of
Universal
Credit
claimed
as
a
consequence
of
that
the
assessment
period,
that
is
the
month
in
which
income
first
assay,
starts
within
a
week
of
a
claim.
There
are
significant
exemptions
to
that.
Anyone
claiming
universal
care
that,
due
to
a
breakup,
anyone
with
a
terminal
illness,
are
young
person
leaving
care
a
victim
of
domestic
abuse
and
more.
N
The
first
payments
are
made
within
seven
days
of
the
assessment
period
ending
once
someone
has
on
the
system
or
after
you've
claimed
universal
credit
or
our
range
of
benefits.
Recently,
you
do
not
face
the
weights
again,
I
completely
appreciate
and
empathize
with
those
who
weigh
up
to
six
weeks
for
a
first
payment.
N
A
period
of
time,
most
would
struggle
to
synchronize
with
common
payments
of
Belle's
month
by
month
and
I'm,
pleased
to
see
that
Lord
Floyd
has
indicated
that
the
system
rules
that,
as
a
system
knows
I
the
weight
should
be
decreased,
which
we
should
all
support.
I
would
welcome
the
DWP
DWP
looking
at
further
ways
to
reduce
the
time
between
the
claim
and
payment
and
I
am
certain.
N
We
have
to
recognize,
though,
that
our
response
of
welfare
system
that
recognizes
and
daveggio
circumstances
need
some
form
of
assessment
and
that
that's
the
equation
of
the
best
way
to
implement
the
system.
No
equation
of
the
fundamental
principles
of
the
system.
Universal
Ted,
is
easing
the
transition
from
where,
firstly,.
N
Are
now
spending
twice
as
much
time
looking
for
a
job
and
as
under
the
old
system,
and
a
hundred
and
thirteen
people
are
moving
in
to
work
under
universal
cater
for
every
hundred,
who
were
doing
so
under
the
pre-existing
system
and
accordance
with
the
Joseph
Rowntree
Foundation
report
work
provides
a
base
rate
of
poverty,
and
we
know
from
the
latest
ons
figures
that
the
UK
employee
ray
has
never
dropped.
A
42-year
law
and
three
months
to
June
2017
with
the
employment
be
rising
to
an
all-time
high
of
75
per
one
percent.
N
I'd
like
to
end
today
with
making
a
final
point
regarding
the
original
purpose
of
universal
care
and
redesigning
and
simplifying
a
notoriously
complex
welfare
system
of
the
UK,
thus
was
approved,
welcomed
by
party
opposition
parties
at
the
time
of
its
creation
and
I,
don't
believe
the
support
has
moved
away
from
the
basic
principle
during
its
Herald.
Although
opposition
parties
were
even
quite
Chatta
sized,
the
UK
government
for
not
ruling
out
fast
enough,
I
was
again
expressed
my
empathy
for
those
who
are
waiting
up
to
six
weeks
for
payment
and
welcomed
any
changes.
N
The
DWP
can
introduce
to
decrease
those
time
periods
when
it
comes
to
the
basic
principles
behind
universal
credit.
However,
we
shouldn't
forget
what
we
originally
set
out
to
achieve
on
a
cross-party
basis.
The
transport
rowing
several
benefits
enter
one
to
create
one
simpler
benefit
remains
a
good
one
to
work
towards
something
I
am
sure
we
will
still
ugly
on.
Thank
you.
O
Didn't
officer
I'd
like
to
thank
I,
look
really
for
bringing
this
vital
topic
to
the
chamber.
So
here
we
are
back
from
recess
and
back
debating
the
horrors
of
Tory
Welfare
policy.
There
have
been
several
occasions
relating
to
Social
Security,
where
I've
thought
that
the
Tories
could
sink
no
lower
the
UN,
condemning
their
welfare
to
forum
as
being
in
grave
and
systemic
violation
of
disabled
people's
rights
was
one
of
them.
O
But
then
we
had
the
child
cap
and
the
rape
clause,
and
now
we
have
the
UN
describing
the
Tory
government
as
having
created
a
human
catastrophe
for
disabled
people,
a
human
catastrophe.
If
you
look
up
from
your
phones
and
let
that
sink
in
for
a
minute,
maybe
each
time
I've
thought
they
could
sink.
No
lower
they've
surpassed
themselves.
So
I'm
not
going
to
see
that
again
today,
because
if
I've
learned
anything
over
the
past
year,
anything
to
do
then
that
there's
no
limits
to
the
depths
of
Tori
callousness
and
Tori
arrogance.
O
When
it
comes
to
this
topic,
because
when
they're
told
about
the
damage
their
policies
are
causing,
and
they
have
been
consistently
and
repeatedly,
they
dismiss
the
evidence
and
the
concerns
presented
to
them
out
of
hand
when,
in
November
2016
the
UN
first
condemned
their
policies
as
being
in
systematic
violation
of
disabled
people's
rights.
The
Tory
government
said
that
the
report
was
patronizing
and
offensive
and
that
Britain
was
a
world
leader
and
disability
rights
and
equality.
O
This
Parliament's
voice
was
dismissed
by
a
Tory
MSP
as
nationalist
grievance
stalking
and
when
the
UN
recently
described
the
UK
government
as
having
created
a
human
catastrophe
for
disabled
people,
the
Tory
response
was
to
remained
that
the
UN
Committee
on
the
rights
of
the
persons
with
disabilities
that
the
UK
is
a
recognized
world
leader
and
disability
rights
and
equality,
no
thanks.
So
so
when
it
comes
to
Social
Security
for
the
Tories
trust,
the
disability
charities
are
wrong.
Respected,
MSP
colleagues
are
wrong.
This
Parliament
is
wrong.
The
United
Nations
is
wrong.
O
Last
week,
25
Scottish
third
sector
organisations
published
a
joint
letter
calling
for
the
rollout
of
universal
credit
to
be
halted.
Will
the
Tory
government
listen
to
them?
Perhaps
our
colleagues
on
the
Tory
benches
today
can
tell
us
who
they
will
listen
to
and
not
just
who
their
government
will
listen
to,
but
when
how
bad
does
it
have
to
get
before
the
Tories
Act
presiding
officer?
O
There's
a
real
danger
at
this
stage
that
we're
running
out
of
words
to
explain
our
horror
that
the
damage
being
done
by
these
Tory
welfare
policies
with
an
earth
to
be
go
from
human
catastrophe?
Now
we
could
be
journalists
for
a
second
and
acknowledge
the
well-meaning
thinking
behind
universal
credit,
aimed
at
simplifying
the
process
and
helping
people
in
to
work.
O
However,
the
contrast
between
the
stated
intentions
of
universal
credit
and
its
reality
on
the
ground
could
not
be
more
stark
and,
as
the
evidence
for
damage
the
damage
it's
causing
mounts
I
have
to
doubt
the
Tory
sincerity
if
they
want
their
stated
intentions
to
be
believed,
and
they
have
to
act
immediately
and
pause
that,
although
of
universal
placement
later,
they
must
listen
to
the
evidence
being
presented
to
them
and
they
must
act
on
the
issues
going
forward.
This
won't
undo
the
severe
damage.
O
That's
already
been
done,
damage
for
which
there
can
be
no
apologies
could
eat
enough,
but
it
would
prevent
further
avoidable
damage
from
taking
place.
Continued
failure
to
act
would
not
only
be
astoundingly
adamant
but
also
well
fully
harmful
and
for
a
government
whose
role
is
to
care
for
its
citizens.
That
would
be
unforgivable.
O
A
P
You
very
much
presiding
officer,
and
can
I
to
thank
mr.
Rowley
for
bringing
this
important
debate
to
the
chamber,
and
can
I
express
to
my
gratitude
to
the
25-foot
sector
organizations
who've
already
be
mentioned
to
Citizens
Advice,
Scotland
and
Citizens
Advice,
England
and
Wales
to
the
Church
of
Scotland
for
all
the
work
that
they
are
doing
to
try
and
press
the
case
for
the
UK
government
to
halt
the
rollout
of
universal
care
until
the
problems
are
fixed
and
can
I
make
the
point
that
all
of
that
is
based
on
evidence.
It's
not
political
posturing.
P
It
is
evidence,
evidence
firsthand
personal
direct
experience,
dealing
with
real
people
facing
real
hardship,
seeing
an
increased
use
of
food
banks
as
a
consequence
of
the
problems
with
universal
credit
and
increase
use
of
emergency
aid
like
this
scottish
Welfare
Fund,
where
what
a
pity
mr.
balford
is
not
here
to
counter
his
thoughts
on
customer
satisfaction
in
East
Lothian,
a
35
percent
rise
in
crisis
grant
applications
directly
as
a
result
of
the
introduction
of
universal
credit
fool
about
coming
from
us.
Members
have
said
mr.
P
early
and
others
have
said,
the
six-week,
wait,
producing
an
increase
in
rent
arrears
and
rising
debt
before
people
even
begin
to
try
and
deal
with
some
of
the
situations
that
they're
addressing
this
isn't
about.
How
well
people
manage
their
money?
It
isn't
either
about
how
work
is
where
people
should
be
directed
towards.
38
percent
of
people
receiving
universal
credit
are
in
work
and
aren't
experiencing
these
very
problems.
This
is
about
enforced
anxiety,
enforced
debt,
enforced
poverty
and
enforced
misery
enforced
by
a
UK
government.
P
Mr.
Balfour
I
have
to
say
this
that
description
of
how
well
Universal
Credit
is
doing
utter
beggars,
beggars
belief.
It
is
jaw-dropping
in
its
simplicity
and
its
refusal
to
acknowledge
what
is
actually
going
on
and
when
Citizens
Advice
bureaux,
which
was
one
of
the
organizations
that
welcomed
the
initial
policy,
intent
to
simplify
the
Social
Security
system.
When
that
very
organization
that
still
supports
the
approach
to
simplify
the
Social
Security
system
tells
you
that
you
have
to
halt
the
way
you're
doing
it,
because
it
has
all
that
evidence
of
hardship.
P
You
ought
to
listen
and
MS
wells
I'm
grateful
to
you
for
reading
out
the
DWP's
PR
notice,
but
actually
your
empathy
and
sympathy
does
not
help
address
the
problems
of
increase
poverty.
Increased
rent
arrears,
increased
hardship
that
the
mana
of
rolla
of
universal
credit
and
some
of
the
fundamental
policy
components
in
it
are
causing
two
people.
The
length
and
breadth
of
this
country
and
I
am
very
grateful
indeed
to
mr.
Finley.
It's
a
pity
is
no
here.
I.
Hope
you
read.
P
This
I
am
very
grateful
to
them
for
calling
out
what
is
clearly
the
strategy
of
the
Scottish
Conservatives
which
to
sit
on
those
benches
when
they're
confronted
by
a
debate
about
UK
government
policy.
That
is
indefensible
to
choose
to
speak
and
utterly
ignore
the
points
that
are
being
raised
and
otherwise
to
sit
silent.
Well,
let
me
tell
you
this:
when
you
sit
silent,
you
collude
with
the
problems
when
you
refuse
to
address
them.
You
collude
through
those
problems
and
we
will
never
ever
let
you
off
that
hook.
The
UK
government
is
not
listening.
P
P
There
is
no
rationale
for,
in
the
face
of
all
the
evidence,
all
the
experience
north
and
south
of
the
border
for
not
pausing
and
fixing
this
system.
So
we
are
forced
to
conclude
that
the
only
reason
can
be
utter
contempt
for
the
damage
that
is
being
done,
arrogance
about
believing
that
you
are
always
right
and
a
failure
and
unwillingness
to
admit
the
sheer
incompetence
involved
in
this
rule.
P
So
we
have
that
unique
combination
of
contempt,
arrogance
and
incompetence,
and
let
that
be
the
final
say
on
what
this
UK
government
is
all
about
when
it
comes
to
Social
Security.
Yes,
we
have
limited
powers
in
this
Parliament
and
we
will
use
them,
but
the
DWP
will
charge
us
for
that
privilege.
Those
limited
powers
offering
that
choice
on
rent
payment
directory
landlords
on
fortnightly
payments
will
be
introduced,
but
we
do
not
have
the
powers
to
deal
with
them
most
damaging
aspects
of
universal
credit.
Node
powers
to
deal
with
the
fundamental
flaws.
P
Social
Security
should
be
there
for
all
of
us
to
help
us
and
not
Reposado.
The
put
in
this
Parliament
shared
I
believe
across
this
chamber,
except
by
the
conservative
benches,
is
a
rights
based
social
security
system,
recognizing
it
is
an
investment
in
all
of
us
as
again
mr.
Finley
said,
and
recognizing
that
it
is
there
to
provide,
help
and
support.
P
Then
the
ruler
of
Universal
Credit,
the
ten
year
that
is
thrown
constantly
by
the
UK
government
and
conservatives
on
these
benches
is
a
demonstration
of
the
need
to
do
that.
I
support
this
motion.
I
support
on
the
call
on
the
UK
government
to
listen
to
dial
back
the
arrogance
to
pay
attention
to
their
own
incompetence,
to
halt
the
rollout
and
fix
their
broken
system
and
I
say
again
to
conservative
members
in
this
Parliament
either
properly
argue
for
a
system
that
is
fundamentally
flawed.