SNP MPs have tirelessly campaigned to strengthen our social safety net and to ensure that universal credit is fit for purpose and we will continue to do so in this time of crisis.
We agree that the UK Government needs to support renters by removing the benefit cap and lift Local Housing Allowance to cover the average cost of rents.
The SNP has been urging the UK Chancellor to strengthen the support available through the social security systemCovid-19 crisis. We have asked the Chancellor to implement a number of measures, including removing the shared accommodation rate from Local Housing Allowance, for both Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.
In addition, the Scottish Government’s action to legislate to increase the minimum notice period for private and social tenants to up to six months depending on the grounds used, helping to protect them from eviction is also to be welcomed.
This is in addition to funding totalling £350m annouced by the Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Communities & Local Government to help support the most vulnerable in our society. £45 million has been added to the existing Scottish Welfare Fund which makes Community Grants and Crisis Grants available to those in immediate need. Extra funding has also been made available to allow local authorities to increase Discretionary Housing Payments
