THE number of people in Helensburgh relying on Universal Credit (UC) to survive has gone up slightly, according to the most recent figures.

Statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed a total of 1,297 people registered through Helensburgh’s Jobcentre between April 7 and May 13 – up by eight on the previous reporting period.

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, those needing government support have doubled as businesses collapsed and millions were ordered to stay home.

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara said: “As so many people who are in receipt of Universal Credit now know, this is not a ‘benefit’, and it is far from enough for families, in particular, to survive on.

“It is no surprise that many people who’d never have thought they’d need to use a food bank are now relying on them and it’s an outrage that so many parents, through no fault of their own, are worrying about how to feed their children.

“Universal Credit is also a very difficult system for people to negotiate and my office has, and continues to deal with, cases where people have been left struggling because the UK benefits system simply doesn’t work for them.”

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Mr O’Hara added: “The stark reality now is that the Chancellor plans to cut furlough support and business rates relief from July 1, resulting in yet even more jobs being threatened.

“In Scotland, the Scottish Government has introduced 100 per cent business rates relief for the full financial year 2021-22, but powers over furlough support remain reserved to Westminster.”

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said there were “encouraging elements” in the latest figures.

He said: “These are challenging times and we still have a lot to do to get people back into work and see our economy prosper again.

“The UK Government has acted quickly and decisively since the beginning of the pandemic to protect livelihoods and keep businesses afloat in every part of the UK.

“The UK Government is entirely focused on Covid recovery. We are investing £1.5 billion in growth deals across Scotland, and our new Levelling Up, Community Renewal and Community Ownership Funds will invest in communities right across the UK.”