Split payments should be prioritised says MSP

An MSP has called for split benefit payments to be priopritised as thousands of vulnerable woman remain at risk.

Payments of universal credit get paid into a single account, leading to warnings it leaves victims of domestic abuse open to financial exertion and control from their abusers as the benefits go to them.

Although the Scottish Government is working on a solution, SNP MSP Shona Robison has claimed the most effective route to deal with the issue is for the UK Government to reform the system at source

Robison said: “Our welfare system should be designed with the safety and security of those who receive support in mind. While the Scottish Government have opened discussions with the DWP to change the system in Scotland, a simple amendment by the Tories at Westminster could offer protection to women UK wide.

“Alongside my SNP colleagues at Westminster, I will continue to push the UK government to introduce separate Universal Credit payments as the default position.”

Women’s groups say the current set-up could isolate victims and make it financially impossible for individuals to leave harmful relationships.

Split payments can be arranged on request, but experts including Women’s Aid say this could leave women open to further danger when the move is discovered by controlling or violent men.

Frank Field, work and pensions committee chair, said the government “must acknowledge the increased risk of harm” of Universal Credit to claimants living with domestic abuse, adding: “This is not the 1950s.”