Charities call for benefit changes to tackle poverty

A GROUP of more than 40 charities has called for changes to benefits, which they claim are leaving many living in poverty.

The Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform says people are often made to "jump through hoops" to claim meagre benefits.

The coalition made the challenge to politicians ahead of the general election with the launch of its own manifesto.

John Dickie, of the Child Poverty Action Group, said: "The current system fails to tackle the real problems people face trying to get into work.

"Our manifesto challenges all those standing at the general election to only support proposals that treat people with dignity and protect them from poverty."

The group called for an increase in the proportion of non-means-tested financial support, which, it said, is easier to administer and does not suffer the stigma often attached to means-tested support.