Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Raising the value of benefits would have been preferable to sending out a string of lump sum cost of living payments to households, according to a leading UK economics thinktank which has dubbed the sporadic cash boosts an “ineffective sticking plaster”.

Cost of living payments are ‘ineffective sticking plaster’, warns IFS

Numbers on Universal Credit in Fife are rising

Universal Credit: Highest figure in Fife since December and 37% are in work

Neale Hanvey, MP for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath, has slammed UK Government plans to cut Universal Credit by £20 a week.

A Kirkcaldy MP has slammed UK government plans to cut Universal Credit

More than 14,000 people in Falkirk could lose "lifeline" funding as the Government prepares to axe a pandemic-inspired benefits boost.

30,000 people in Fife could lose ‘lifeline funding

The increase in payments was only designed to last a year. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Universal Credit payments could be decreased in April 2021 - here's why

The number of job vacancies has dropped

Big drop in job vacancies in Fife

Around 660 people sleep rough in Scotland each night. (Picture by Franco Folini/Flickr)

Report highlights plight of increasing numbers of homeless in Scotland