Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau has created the guide in light of social security reforms

A new guide has been created to help those struggling to get their heads around welfare reforms.

Stirling District Citizens Advice Bureau has published its new Plain English Guide to Help Sort out Benefits.

Keith Brown MSP, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, and Jeane Freeman MSP, minister for social security, both attended an event to mark the guide's launch.

The guide consists of a set of factsheets covering a range of topics including universal credit, the Scottish welfare fund, basic bank accounts and the under-occupancy penalty (or bedroom tax).

Stirling was one of the first areas in Scotland where universal credit was rolled out, and the charity has seen an influx in people contacting it since the end of June.

Stirling District CAB manager Craig Anderson said that the new guide had been created to provide clear advice on complex issues.

“The social security system is there to support people who are in need,” he said. “But in our experience too many people find it complex and difficult to access, and the language used in the system can be a barrier.

“That is why we have produced this new guide to help people understand and navigate the system. We want to set out the basic facts that people need to know, and do so in language anyone can understand.

“We hope that these guides can be of use to all who are affected by the welfare reforms and we are keen that other agencies use them so that the information can be disseminated to the wider community.”