PAYMENT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT TO DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS

That this House notes the publication of the Scottish Government's response to the Consultation on Social Security in Scotland; understands that the Scottish Government will use the social security powers devolved in the Scotland Act 2016 to allow universal credit payments to be made to individuals, rather than households; believes that providing the option for paying claimants individually will address the power imbalances that occur within abusive relationships and reduce the ability of perpetrators of domestic violence to exert financial control over their partners and children; welcomes the support of Engender Scotland for this proposal; commends the Scottish Government on this important action to tackle domestic abuse and gender-based violence; and calls on the Government to fully implement individual payments for universal credit across the UK.