Sign in
☰
People MPsHouse of LordsGovernmentOppositionPartiesCommittees Votes Commons votesLords votesVotes by issueTopicsStats & rankingsParliament in numbers Legislation BillsEarly day motionsPetitions Elections Election resultsConstituenciesWho is my MP? Scotland OverviewMSPsScottish GovernmentVotesBillsMotionsCommitteesConstituencies & regionsElections Search Sign in

Motion · S5M-17378 · 22 May 2019

Online Barriers to Maintaining Universal Credit Claims

Lodged by Keith Brown (Scottish National Party) Standard Motion 17 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes with concern the Citizens Advice Scotland report, Voices from the Frontline: online barriers to maintaining Universal Credit claims, which suggests that one in three universal credit (UC) claimants seeking help do not have internet access or the required digital skills; acknowledges that claims for UC must normally be made and maintained online; believes that this represents a significant barrier for some people attempting to claim the benefit; considers that this significant minority, which includes disabled people and people with mental or physical health conditions, learning difficulties, poor literacy skills or other complex needs, will face particular disadvantages and in many cases will be unable to make a claim without substantial support; notes also what it sees as the difficulties that are faced by people in rural areas that have limited internet access; believes that such barriers place these claimants at a serious risk of sanction or claim closure, which can result in significant and unjustified hardship; supports calls on the UK Government to provide alternative, suitably supported offline options to make and maintain claims, and agrees that the roll out of UC should be halted until what it considers such fundamental flaws in the system are remedied.

Supporters (17)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.