Skip to content
Law Society of Scotland
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
  • For members

    • For members

    • CPD & Training

    • Membership and fees

    • Rules and guidance

    • Regulation and compliance

    • Journal

    • Business support

    • Career growth

    • Member benefits

    • Professional support

    • Lawscot Wellbeing

    • Lawscot Sustainability

  • News and events

    • News and events

    • Law Society news

    • Blogs & opinions

    • CPD & Training

    • Events

  • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor

    • Career support and advice

    • Our work with schools

    • Funding your education

    • Social mobility

  • Research and policy

    • Research and policy

    • Research

    • Influencing the law and policy

    • Equality and diversity

    • Our international work

    • Legal Services Review

    • Meet the Policy team

  • For the public

    • For the public

    • What solicitors can do for you

    • Making a complaint

    • Client protection

    • Find a Solicitor

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Your Scottish solicitor

  • About us

    • About us

    • Contact us

    • Who we are

    • Our strategy, reports and plans

    • Help and advice

    • Our standards

    • Work with us

    • Our logo and branding

    • Equality and diversity

  1. Home
  2. News and events
  3. Legal news
  4. Should universal credit claimants be made to wait? committee asks

Should universal credit claimants be made to wait? committee asks

24th September 2014 | welfare/benefits

The Social Security Advisory Committee has begun a consultation on proposals that certain universal credit claimants must wait seven days before they are entitled to benefit.

The committee has previously made plain its concerns about the extension of waiting days for anyone making a claim to employment and support allowance (ESA) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

Paul Gray, the committee’s chair, commented: "While these proposals may seem to mirror those on which we have already commented, there are important differences which have the potential to cause significant financial difficulties for some claimants. These warrant closer scrutiny. For example, larger sums of money could be lost as universal credit includes an element for housing costs and children whereas ESA and JSA do not. This is further compounded by the fact that universal credit is paid monthly, so claimants are generally waiting longer for their first benefit payment. We are keen to learn more about the impact of this proposal."

The Government has stated that the savings generated (estimated to be over £200m each year from 2016-17 onwards) will fund other initiatives designed to help people find work, for example by improving English language skills and providing support to lone parents.

It is intended that the change will come into force in April 2015.

The evidence received by SSAC will help inform its report which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the autumn.

Click here to access the consultation.

Add To Favorites
Law Society of Scotland
Atria One, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
If you’re looking for a solicitor, visit FindaSolicitor.scot
T: +44(0) 131 226 7411
E: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
About us
  • Contact us
  • Who we are
  • Strategy reports plans
  • Help and advice
  • Our standards
  • Work with us
Useful links
  • Find a Solicitor
  • Sign in
  • CPD & Training
  • Rules and guidance
  • Website terms and conditions
Law Society of Scotland | © 2025
Made by Gecko Agency Limited