VILLAGERS who were being forced to make a 20-mile round trip to sign up for Universal Credit have been assured they should now be able to sort their payments closer to home.

Benefit claimants in Bridge of Weir have been having to travel to Greenock to sign on, despite the fact there is a jobcentre in nearby Johnstone.

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, took up their case after being contacted by a number of his constituents.

And the SNP man said he has now been assured by the Minister of State for Employment that people should either be able to use Johnstone Jobcentre for all appointments or, if they have to travel to Greenock, they will have their travel expenses reimbursed.

Mr Newlands told The Gazette: “I was shocked to find out some Universal Credit claimants from Bridge of Weir are being told they have to make a 20-mile round trip to attend appointments.

“This means claimants are having to spend up to 14 per cent of their total weekly benefit entitlement to attend appointments in Greenock.

“I welcome the fact the Minister has accepted my calls and confirmed people in this situation should now be able to attend Johnstone instead but, at the very least, have their travel expenses reimbursed if they are asked to attend Greenock.

“However, I am still concerned this instruction is not reaching staff on the ground and, therefore, the Minister should write to all staff, informing them that relevant claimants can attend Johnstone or have their expenses reimbursed.”

Unlike the rest of Renfrewshire, claimants living in the PA11 postcode area were included in Inverclyde when the full rollout of Universal Credit took place.

Mr Newlands added: “I am glad this issue has been resolved.”