A CONTROVERSIAL new single benefits pilot scheme being rolled out fully in Inverclyde has been branded a 'disaster' by a senior councillor.

The UK Government’s universal credit allowance, which merges six working age benefits into one payment, is being phased in around the country and Inverclyde is one of the local authorities to have introduced it.

A plan to move more people on to it locally has caused concern for councillors, who believe that the system isn’t working as it is.

Inverclyde, which currently has more than 5,400 claimants, will be one of the first places to implement the full roll out.

SNP group leader Councillor Chris McEleny said: “Universal Credit is a disaster, the policy is crippling Inverclyde.

“The UK Government continues to use Inverclyde as a guinea pig.

"There is only so much the Scottish Government can do to mitigate the worst of these policies, such as ensuring nobody in Inverclyde pays the bedroom tax, but the best way to help people would be for the UK Government to end this assault on the welfare state.”

Councillor Tommy McVey believes that the system isn’t working for people.

The council conducted a survey of 156 claimants which found that a high proportion found the process challenging, with 85 per cent needing help with their claim.

A third described the experience complicated, difficult and stressful.

Thirty seven per cent said they were struggling financially, with a number relying on family, friends, foodbanks or the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Cllr McVey said: “Clearly the UC system isn’t working for a lot of people.

“The council are doing what they can but more needs to be done by the government.

“I don’t think piloting it here is a good idea but I realise it has to be done somewhere.

"Indicators show that it’s not working, we see it in the number of crisis loans and rent arrears.

“It’s a badly handled implementation.”

Councillor Jim Clocherty also has concerns about the system.

He said: “It is clear that UC has been driven by political dogma rather than a genuine attempt to reform and make the benefits system simpler.

“The survey shows there is something fundamentally wrong with the UC system.”

But the government insists it is making improvements to the system after listening to people's feedback and added that it had given the council cash to assist with the rollout.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Universal Credit is rolling out successfully and replaces a benefits system that was complicated, out of date, and often discouraged people from getting a job.

"With UC, people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than under the old system.

“We are working closely with local authorities and have provided Inverclyde Council with funding to help the rollout in its area."