The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) have unveiled five key points it wants political parties to deliver on in the upcoming General Election.

The five-point plan has been drawn up to "reduce the damaging impact of welfare reforms":

• Alleviate the poverty resulting from the seven-day waiting period for new claimants of Universal Credit

• Abolish the two-child policy for access to Working Tax Credits and Universal Credit – which would also redress the injustice of the 'rape clause'

• Restore protection for the youngest, older and most vulnerable in communities by removing arbitrary caps on rent in social housing

• Defer the roll-out of Universal Credit until it can be shown to be working safely

• Reduce the risk of destitution for benefits claimants by reforming the punitive sanctions regime

The SFHA said: "Almost two-thirds of tenants of housing associations rely on Housing Benefit to pay even modest rents, including tenants who work. Recent reforms are having a damaging impact on housing associations and their tenants.

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"Under the existing system for Job Seekers Allowance there is a seven-day waiting period, it does not prevent tenants claiming housing benefit from day one. But with Universal Credit, a seven-day waiting period is in place. To help prevent claimants from falling into debt, this cut urgently needs to be reversed.

"Recent social security policies have discriminated against the young, with the removal of entitlement to 18-21-year-olds and the shared accommodation rate to single under-35s. SFHA believes these measures should be scrapped. In addition, the protection provided by social security’s safety net should be restored by reversing caps to entitlement for younger people and large families."

In addition, the SFHA highlighted fuel poverty as another area of concern, which remains a "significant issue" for housing associations due to rising energy costs and "in spite of significant investment by housing associations in energy efficiency and in schemes to support and advise tenants".

With around 27% of houses owned by housing association's in fuel poverty, the SFHA has called on parties to prioritise the provision of affordable warmth and "warm homes a priority".

The organisation said key aims should include reducing the cost of energy and provide customers with the cheapest tariffs; investing in the energy efficiency of homes, especially hard to treat homes; and supporting the provision of energy advice and support, especially for vulnerable people and people on low incomes.

In conclusion, the SFHA added it wants to see both the Scottish Government and UK Government have a joint focus on access to construction materials and workers during Brexit negotiations, "as well as support and funding for training of apprentices".

(LM/MH)