LOCHGELLY Community Council members are very concerned about the possible effects of the introduction of Universal Credits on people in the town .

Community councillors sought assurances, at their meeting, that people from Lochgelly and the surrounding areas would be supported when the new Universal Credit system for benefit payments rolls out in this area in December.

The changes to benefit payments, which have been widely criticised by experts, will see six individual payments rolled into one from December this year.

But as local MSPs and MP Lesley Laird have outlined, UC can have a six week span when no benefit payments are made to people.

Community Councillor Jimmy Mann said: “We have all been reading and watching reports about the effect that this change has on the communities where it has been rolled out so far.

"The shocking stories of people, who are a lot of time in extreme poverty, having their payments delayed by up to six weeks have been horrendous.

"The thought of those people going over Christmas and New Year before they receive any payments is just not credible. There may be potential for advances in payments to be made, however, in many cases these have apparently fallen through as well.”

The Community Council called upon Fife Council to ensure that people are supported with financial advice and guidance not only at the point where the scheme is introduced but on an ongoing basis.

Jimmy Mann added: "We also urge people to make sure that they get the right advice at the right time by contacting Fife Council's Housing department, CARF Money Advice services or the Benefits agency.

The MSPs and local MP have all made pleas to the UK Government that the roll out be delayed in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area until the New Year to avoid the problems outlined by Mr Mann.