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VOTERS have been warned not to let Ruth Davidson ’s Tories “anywhere near” the new Scottish benefits system after a damning report showed Universal Credit could fail because of Treasury cuts.

The flagship Tory benefit reform is on a “knife edge” and looks set to leave millions of working families worse off, experts have warned.

And the scheme needs to be fixed before the benefit is introduced across the country, a leading think tank say.

Universal Credit is meant to roll six benefits into one single payment to try to incentivise people to move into work.

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But the Resolution Foundation say recent changes “driven by the Government’s desire to secure further savings in the welfare budget” mean the benefit would not be fit for purpose.

The think tank, chaired by former Conservative minister David Willetts, said if design flaws are not corrected, the reform “risks being reduced to little more than a very complicated vehicle for cutting the benefits bill”.

Labour MP Ian Murray said the problems with Universal Credit would hit people across the country “who are already paying a heavy price for the Tories’ mistakes”.

And the Shadow Scottish Secretary appealed to voters to ensure the Scots Tories do not get their hands on welfare powers north of the Border.

He said: “In a matter of months, the Scottish Parliament will take control of significant welfare powers.

“People across Scotland should ask themselves if they want Ruth Davidson and the Scottish Conservatives anywhere near the Scottish benefit system after they have let some of the poorest people suffer with the mess they have made across the UK.”

The Resolution think tank urged new Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb to “reclaim” Universal Credit from the Treasury.

Their senior economic analyst David Finch said: “It is a reform with lots of potential but it has veered off track,

particularly following a series of sharp cuts in support to working families.”

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Crabb said that the roll-out of the Universal Credit programme would proceed as planned. He added: “I have told my department to focus on the human impact.”

Crabb replaced Iain Duncan Smith in March after the former Tory leader quit the Cabinet with an attack

on Chancellor George Osborne’s plans to cut benefits.

Scottish Conservative welfare spokesman John Lamont said: “Universal Credit is transforming the welfare system and is now at every jobcentre across the country.

“The UK Government is moving welfare into the 21st century, giving people the confidence and security of a job, and our focus now is on continuing its expansion to all claimants.”

Meanwhile,the Record is keen to speak to 16 and 17-year-old Scots who will be voting for the first time tomorrow.

Give our newsdesk a ring on 0141 309 3256.