Moray SNP News

WELFARE FAILURES EXPOSED IN MORAY COUNCIL REPORT

The ongoing and substantial failures of Universal Credit rollout and other UK Government Welfare policies have been exposed in a Moray Council Committee Report highlighting the very high percentage of successful appeals - showing the number of wrong decisions made in initial assessments - and the large sums of money rightly achieved for Moray residents with the support of the Council’s Welfare Benefits Team.

SNP Councillor Paula Coy praised Moray Council’s Welfare Benefits Team at a meeting of the Planning Committee today, Tuesday 13th November. Trading Standards has produced their Quarter 1 and 2 reports which shows that the sum of 429 thousand pounds was gained to the Moray economy by supporting benefits claimants with appeals against failed or incorrect claims.

Cllr Coy said:

“It is so reassuring to know that we have a dedicated council team supporting some of our most vulnerable residents with their benefits appeals. When the appeals are successful in an astonishing 91% of cases, as they were in the most recent quarter, it strongly indicates that there are fundamental flaws within the DWP welfare systems and that they are not fit for purpose.

“This, nearly half a million pounds over a 6 month period, means that at least some of Moray’s residents are being somewhat protected from the worst of the Conservatives disastrous welfare reforms which are forcing people into poverty throughout the UK.

“Foodbank use has soared in the UK since the Conservative government at Westminster introduced its Welfare Reform measures, including the widely criticised Universal Credit. The delays caused by rejected claims and the need for appeals can cause people to go into debt and rent arrears.

“My praise also goes to other organisations working hard to support Moray residents like The Moray Foodbank and The Citizens Advice Bureau, who provide practical support to prevent crisis and a safety net for people in crisis.”