A NEW service could be established in Inverclyde to help claimants of the controversial Universal Credit.

The UK Government says Citizens Advice Scotland are to provide help for people who need to apply for the benefit.

Inverclyde does not have a Citizens Advice Bureau and MP Ronnie Cowan says he is keen to ensure that individuals do not miss out on any extra assistance.

Mr Cowan said: “I welcome any help to improve the lives of people who have been adversely affected by Universal Credit.

“Inverclyde was one of the first to experience the roll-out and as such has experienced the problems.

"Our local jobcentre has worked extremely hard to improve the system as and when they have identified issues.

“As Inverclyde does not have a Citizens Advice Bureau, I would encourage Inverclyde Council to engage with Citizens Advice to share our experience and seek to benefit from the new service.”

Inverclyde Council says that claimants have been receiving support from a team jointly funded by the council and housing associations.

A spokesman said: “The Department for Work and Pensions’ announcement came as a complete surprise and the council will seek to get clarity from Citizens Advice Scotland as to how they propose to deliver the service to ensure that customers are in no way adversely impacted by this change.

“One way of achieving this would be for CAS to subcontract this service to ensure a continuity of service for universal credit claimants.”

A spokesman for Citizens Advice Scotland says they will speak with the council and DWP to see how best to implement the scheme in Inverclyde.

He said: “The new service gets under way in April and we are talking to the local council and the DWP about how best to deliver it locally.

“In the meantime people can always access Citizens Advice help through our www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland website.”