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Universal Credit

Only Fans star Amber O’Donnel at Tesco after shopping for her food parcel donations - Credit: SWNS

Mum uses first OnlyFans paycheque to fill a foodbank

Cost of Living spring payments are set to be rolled out over the next month or so - Credit: Adobe
Cost of Living spring payments are set to be rolled out over the next month or so - Credit: Adobe

10 ways to claim extra money for households on Universal Credit

RHS Harlow Carr
RHS Harlow Carr

RHS offer £1 entry to its gardens for low income households

'The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson is wrong to believe that charities supporting asylum seekers in Calais are involved in a multimillion-pound industry'. PIC: UK Parliament/PA Wire
'The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson is wrong to believe that charities supporting asylum seekers in Calais are involved in a multimillion-pound industry'. PIC: UK Parliament/PA Wire

Lee Anderson: ‘myth’ those on Universal credit are in poverty

A child carries a tray with food during lunch-break at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Battersea, south London.
A child carries a tray with food during lunch-break at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Battersea, south London.

Number of children in food poverty nearly doubles to four million

The government could tell GPs to issue less sick notes in order to boost the economy.
The government could tell GPs to issue less sick notes in order to boost the economy.

Government could tell GPs to sign fewer sick notes to boost economy

The first £301 instalment of the money, which is intended to help vulnerable people pay their energy and grocery bills as inflation hits a 40-year high, is due to hit bank accounts this spring.
The first £301 instalment of the money, which is intended to help vulnerable people pay their energy and grocery bills as inflation hits a 40-year high, is due to hit bank accounts this spring.

1.7 million people set to miss out on £301 cost of living payment

The rules for Universal Credit are due to change in February.
The rules for Universal Credit are due to change in February.

Six major money changes coming in February

People who claim Universal Credit should be aware of what changes in circumstances they need to report to the DWP
People who claim Universal Credit should be aware of what changes in circumstances they need to report to the DWP

The 21 changes benefit claimants must report to DWP to avoid court

Around 120,000 people are set to be affected by the changes, which could stop Universal Credit payments.
Around 120,000 people are set to be affected by the changes, which could stop Universal Credit payments.

New rule could stop Universal Credit payments for thousands

Loneliness this winter (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Loneliness this winter (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Cost-of-living crisis set to get even worse in 2023, think tank warns

DWP are set to axe six benefits by 2024 as they are being replaced by Universal Credit (Photo: Getty Images)
DWP are set to axe six benefits by 2024 as they are being replaced by Universal Credit (Photo: Getty Images)

DWP to scrap these six benefits by 2024 - full list

A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Benefit claimants could get £1,500 payment if court appeal successful

Undated file photo of a person using a central heating thermostat.
Undated file photo of a person using a central heating thermostat.

Freezing conditions trigger cold weather payments

Users complained overnight that they could not access the HMRC’s Universal Credit portal to check on payment dates and extra help
Users complained overnight that they could not access the HMRC’s Universal Credit portal to check on payment dates and extra help

Universal Credit: HMRC website experiences technical issues overnight

DWP staff are set to walk out on strike for two weeks over Christmas (Photo: Getty Images)
DWP staff are set to walk out on strike for two weeks over Christmas (Photo: Getty Images)

DWP staff set to strike for two weeks over Christmas

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admits tax rises are coming and “sacrifices” will be necessary.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admits tax rises are coming and “sacrifices” will be necessary.

Jeremy Hunt expected to announce increase to National Living Wage

The cash boost forms the second instalment of the £650 cost of living payment as part of a package of measures announced by the Government earlier this year to help tackle the cost of living crisis.
The cash boost forms the second instalment of the £650 cost of living payment as part of a package of measures announced by the Government earlier this year to help tackle the cost of living crisis.

Second cost of living payment set to hit millions of bank accounts

A man walks past a sign with the email address of ‘universal credit’ outside a Job Centre.
A man walks past a sign with the email address of ‘universal credit’ outside a Job Centre.

Universal Credit rule change that impacts thousands explained

Gordon Brown has called for more action to tackle the cost-of-living.
Gordon Brown has called for more action to tackle the cost-of-living.

Gordon Brown demands urgent action on cost-of-living

HMRC confirms exact month £326 cost of living payment will be paid to households

DWP issues scam warning to everyone due £326 cost of living payment

SNP MP Alison Thewliss
SNP MP Alison Thewliss

Some families are resorting to stealing baby formula, says SNP MP

Major ‘12 hour’ rule change could see Universal Credit payments stopped

Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert explains how to get free food from stores (Photo: ITV) (Photo: ITV)
Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert explains how to get free food from stores (Photo: ITV) (Photo: ITV)

Martin Lewis says millions of benefits claimants could get free £1,200

Will the energy bill discount apply for renters?
Will the energy bill discount apply for renters?

Will renters receive £400 energy bill discount?

Students from Ukraine who have not enrolled at a Scottish university could be caught in a financial loophole.
Students from Ukraine who have not enrolled at a Scottish university could be caught in a financial loophole.

Ukrainian students in Scotland in financial ‘loophole’, campaigners warn

Industry body Offshore Energy UK says a windfall tax on massive profits made by oil and gas giants could increase reliance on foreign fossil fuels imports and threaten the future of green energy projects in the UK. Picture: Getty Images
Industry body Offshore Energy UK says a windfall tax on massive profits made by oil and gas giants could increase reliance on foreign fossil fuels imports and threaten the future of green energy projects in the UK. Picture: Getty Images

Windfall tax ‘risks billions in North Sea investment’ says industry chief

One in five people in Scotland are running out of money before payday, a poll from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has found. Issue date: Monday May 23, 2022.
One in five people in Scotland are running out of money before payday, a poll from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has found. Issue date: Monday May 23, 2022.

One in five Scottish people run out of money before payday

Prices are rising at their fastest rate for 40 years as higher energy bills hit millions of households.
Prices are rising at their fastest rate for 40 years as higher energy bills hit millions of households.

UK inflation hits highest for 40 years after hike in energy prices

Millions of people will be moved off legacy benefits onto Universal Credit from Monday (Photo: Getty Images)
Millions of people will be moved off legacy benefits onto Universal Credit from Monday (Photo: Getty Images)

Major Universal Credit shake-up affects millions of benefits claimants today

Sky phone customers will see their bills rise from this week (Photo: Getty)
Sky phone customers will see their bills rise from this week (Photo: Getty)

Sky hikes phone prices for customers this week - how it affects you

6 money changes to be aware of in May - and how they will affect you

Sky launches cut-price broadband deal for people on benefits which could save yo...

Benefits payments will rise in April (Photo: Adobe)
Benefits payments will rise in April (Photo: Adobe)

New rates for Universal Credit as payments rise from today

Vodafone, EE and BT customers face huge phone bill hike in April

Is Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak doing enough to help Britain's poorest citizens? (Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Is Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak doing enough to help Britain's poorest citizens? (Picture: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Readers Letters: Where is the levelling up we were promised?

Cold Weather Payment to close in days - check if you can claim £25 energy rebate

Refugees struggle to board a train at Lviv's main station, Ukraine. Picture: Gustavo Basso/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Refugees struggle to board a train at Lviv's main station, Ukraine. Picture: Gustavo Basso/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The UK is comprehensively failing Ukrainian refugees - Dani Garavelli

Child Benefit payments will increase in April (Photo: Adobe)
Child Benefit payments will increase in April (Photo: Adobe)

New Child Benefit rates from next month as payments to increase

Many Scots are struggling to make ends meet. Picture: John Devlin/JPIMedia
Many Scots are struggling to make ends meet. Picture: John Devlin/JPIMedia

The reality of life for Scots on the breadline - Dani Garavelli

Affected customers will see their phone and broadband bills go up by an extra £3.50 per month (Photo: Shutterstock)
Affected customers will see their phone and broadband bills go up by an extra £3.50 per month (Photo: Shutterstock)

Four million homes missing out on £144 saving on broadband bills

Kirstie Allsop has been criticised for claiming young people should move to cheaper areas to be able to buy their first home
Kirstie Allsop has been criticised for claiming young people should move to cheaper areas to be able to buy their first home

Kirstie Allsop 'move somewhere cheaper to buy a house' comments blasted

Universal Credit is paid monthly to help low-income families (Photo: Shutterstock)
Universal Credit is paid monthly to help low-income families (Photo: Shutterstock)

Universal Credit payment dates for Easter bank holiday 2022

Over a million people are likely missing out on Universal Credit, and that number is far bigger if you look at all benefits.
Over a million people are likely missing out on Universal Credit, and that number is far bigger if you look at all benefits.

Are you one of over a million people missing out on Universal Credit? - Martin L...

Many people are struggling amid increases in energy prices and the cost of living generally (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Many people are struggling amid increases in energy prices and the cost of living generally (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

How many have suffered despite mid-recession wealth boom – Mubin Haq

Citizens Advice Scotland has raised concerns about the cost of living crisis
Citizens Advice Scotland has raised concerns about the cost of living crisis

‘Shocking analysis’ finds some Scots have cut back on food to afford bills

More than one in three people in Scotland find their energy bills unaffordable, according to a new poll.
More than one in three people in Scotland find their energy bills unaffordable, according to a new poll.

More than a third of Scots cannot afford their fuel bills, poll finds

More than one in three people in Scotland find their energy bills unaffordable, according to a new poll.
More than one in three people in Scotland find their energy bills unaffordable, according to a new poll.

Shocking number of Scots are unable to afford household energy bills

Around 500,000 workers who claim Universal Credit are estimated to be in line to benefit before Christmas (Photo: Shutterstock)
Around 500,000 workers who claim Universal Credit are estimated to be in line to benefit before Christmas (Photo: Shutterstock)

This is what you need to know about today's Universal Credit changes

John-Paul Marks, the new permanent secretary to the Scottish Government. PIC: Contributed.
John-Paul Marks, the new permanent secretary to the Scottish Government. PIC: Contributed.

We need a civil service which dares to say 'No, Minister' - Brian Wilson

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland. PIC: Contributed.
Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland. PIC: Contributed.

We are right to feel jittery about the rising cost of living, but no one needs t...

The number of UK workers on company payrolls surged by 160,000 last month and there was no sign of a jump in redundancies despite the furlough support scheme coming to an end, according to official figures.
The number of UK workers on company payrolls surged by 160,000 last month and there was no sign of a jump in redundancies despite the furlough support scheme coming to an end, according to official figures.

Scotland's unemployment rate dropping, but not back to pre-pandemic levels

Therese Coffey is the UK Government's work and pensions secretary. Picture: PA
Therese Coffey is the UK Government's work and pensions secretary. Picture: PA

UK minister labels Scottish Government social security policy ‘frustrating’

The SNP has criticised the UK Government's budget.
The SNP has criticised the UK Government's budget.

SNP claims minimum wage earners will be hit by pay cut after tax rises

Scots said they expect to reduce their spending over the next three months, Deloitte has found. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.
Scots said they expect to reduce their spending over the next three months, Deloitte has found. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Scots consumer confidence falls for first time in 2021 amid rising prices

The Scotsman Top Stories

Margaret Ferrier could be facing a by-election after a 30 days suspension was recommended for breaching Covid-19 rules.
Margaret Ferrier could be facing a by-election after a 30 days suspension was recommended for breaching Covid-19 rules.

Margaret Ferrier facing by-election after watchdog recommends 30-day suspension

Grant Shapps will unveil the UK Government's energy security plans on Thursday.
Grant Shapps will unveil the UK Government's energy security plans on Thursday.

Backing for Scotland Acorn carbon capture project under energy plans

Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, putting a show on dancing over Loch Glascarnoch, by Garve, in the Highlands
Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, putting a show on dancing over Loch Glascarnoch, by Garve, in the Highlands

Northern Lights set to dazzle Scotland again