AN EXTRA £50,000 is required to help people impacted by the roll-out of Universal Credit in East Renfrewshire.

Figures from the Scottish Government have revealed a 25 per cent rise in East Renfrewshire residents applying to the Scottish Welfare fund for crisis grants and community care grants to help cope with everyday living costs.

And a report set to go before cabinet members this week has laid much of the blame on the fallout from the UK Government’s controversial benefits reform.

Last year, the council set aside £600,000 in a contingency fund to help mitigate the impact of Universal Credit over the next three years.

This week, cabinet members will be asked to release £50,000 from the fund to help pay for the increase in crisis and community care grants.

The Scottish Welfare Fund is part of the Scottish Government’s effort to mitigate some of the impact of welfare reform on the country’s most vulnerable residents.

It comprises community care grants, which help set people up to live independently, and crisis grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency. 

Government figures released last week showed that applications to the fund in East Renfrewshire increased 25 per cent from 2017 to 2018 - the fifth-highest rise of the country’s 32 local authorities.

Caroline Innes, deputy chief executive, said: “Universal Credit is increasing the number of people who pass the Stage 1 low income assessment so more people are meeting the initial criteria for SWF success.

“The full impact of welfare reform is now being realised across Scotland. The Scottish Welfare Fund is becoming an increasingly important source of support for vulnerable individuals. 

“Based on projections of increased demand to year-end, the expected shortfall for 2018/19 is currently £41,921.

“To allow for any unexpected demand, cabinet approval is sought to draw down up to £50,000 additional from welfare contingency resources.”

Cabinet members are expected to approve the request at their meeting on Thursday.