A CONCERN over the 'developing pay gap' has seen Lesley Laird write to Scottish Secretary, David Mundell

The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, has expressed her concerns about growing poverty linked to the ongoing public sector pay cap and what she described as the 'disastrous' rollout of the Universal Credit programme.

Universal Credit is expected to be rolled out to the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area within weeks.

In a letter to David Mundell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, she raised her concerns that 'he has not condemned the Universal Credit programme which is simply failing to assist the very people it is supposed to help'.

In it, she wrote, “it has increased debt and rent arrears and increased reliance on food banks. The main issue is the built in delays of around 42 days before claimants can receive a payment. The system assumes claimants are paid monthly in arrears when in actual fact over half of low paid workers are paid weekly. So for six weeks they have no money to buy food, pay rent or heat their homes.”

Mrs Laird also met representatives of the PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union) to discuss Monday’s ballot to consult members on breaking the public sector pay cap and assess their willingness to take part in industrial action.

PCS has also recently launched an online pay calculator which makes a simple analysis of the impact of inflation on salaries over the last seven years https://www.pcs.org.uk/campaigns/pcs-pay-campaign/pay-calculator

PCS also expressed deep frustration that on top of the pay cap the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is “simply not ready to deliver the rollout of Universal Credit Full Service” despite PCS repeatedly raising staffing levels and delays in payments with DWP.

Lesley Laird said: “The increasing levels of poverty, and particularly child poverty is shameful – an increase of 40,000 in a one year period.

"The distress and misery of those trying to do the very best they can for their families yet failing time and again because of ill-considered and cruel Tory policies is scandalous. Government incompetence and a flawed IT system is hampering the very people they claim to want to help.

"It is time for Government Ministers to take on board the feedback from Trade Unions and organisations like Citizens Advice and stop the roll out of Universal Credit.”