Citizens Advice Scotland survey shows widespread concern at changes to benefits
Controversial changes to the benefits system are driving thousands of more people to seek help from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAB), it has been revealed.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 02.01.12
- Published online : 02.01.12 @ 11.51am
A survey by the organisation — which provides free and impartial advice to those in need — found that the reforms are the biggest concern of CAB advisors going into 2012.
More than half of all CAB advisors (53%) believe benefits are the most pressing issue for people seeking their assistance, followed by debt (21%) and employment (14%).
Advisors have also seen a huge increase in the number of people seeking help with rising energy bills.
Although just 7% of staff said fuel prices were their biggest concern, just over one fifth (22%) said it was one of the top two concerns. This was up from just 12% last year.
The UK government is also replacing incapacity benefit with employment support allowance. Claimants must now undergo an assessment to see if they are fit to work.
However, the tests have been extremely controversial and many seriously disabled or ill claimants — including some with terminal conditions — have had their benefits withdrawn as a result of the assessment.
Many win them back on appeal, but CAS head of policy Susan McPhee said the survey showed how damaging the reforms are to some of Scotland's most vulnerable people.
She said: ''This information is invaluable — not just for us but for politicians and government as well — because, in addition to providing a vital advice service to people who are in need, CAB advisors are also a unique source of information on what issues are causing the greatest problems for Scots.
''This year's survey shows that the reforms being made to the benefits system are really hitting the most vulnerable Scots, and our staff around the country now believe this is by far the greatest problem they seeing being brought to the CAB.
''Debt also remains high on the list, and there is a big concern about the behaviour of utility companies — much of which was based on the issue of high fuel bills.''
Nearly half of all advisors (44%) said government agencies such as the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and JobCentre Plus are among the most difficult to deal with.
The DWP and Jobcentres are described by advisors as ''incompetent, disorganised and show a complete lack of respect to people'' while the government's tax office was described as ''aggressive and unhelpful.''
10.09pm - 02.01.2012 M Lomond - Dundee, UK Report This
About time benefits were slashed and people understand that they must work to get money. Benefits should only be for food, shelter and clothing. Luxuries such as holidays, sky tv, cigarettes and alcohol should not be funded through benefits as they currently are!
09.02am - 03.01.2012 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
M lomond the only way people will get off benefits is when there is sufficient jobs around, dont know if youve noticed there are business closing every week just now leaving 1000s of people out of work. i think you will find your perception of luxuries is driven by the gutter press.
11.26am - 03.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
My shelter is still owned by the local authority and costs less than £70 per week if it'd been bought and rented out via the private sector it would cost about £150pw.If my daughter did n't have a learning disability she'd be out earning like her siblings.Benefits like claiments stories are complex
11.50am - 03.01.2012 cs - Dundee, Scotland Report This
M Lomond....judge not, lest ye be judged.
02.34pm - 05.01.2012 Trafalgar - Fife, United Kingdom Report This
Mark,, even if there were thousands of jobs available,, many of these scroungers still wouldn't work. It's far too easy to get benefits. Things will have to change.
10.35pm - 05.01.2012 Trafalgar - Fife, United Kingdom Report This
@ CS,,,, M Lomond is spot on. He's not judging, he's telling it as it is. Like him, i'd make it much harder to get benefits. I'd give the benefits as vouchers. That way, these people could only get the essentials they need. Benefits should only be short term, not for years and years.
06.18pm - 12.01.2012 Citysurfboy - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
The government have been caught out misleading the public and the house.. If you haven't read it, check out the Spartacus report.. It shows the Government have misled people on the Reforms.. Before you comment, read the report and think about how you would be affected if you become disabled.
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