Many of us are aware of the problems caused by the roll-out of Universal Credit.

Universal Credit combines six benefits into one, including Jobseeker’s Allowance and Working Tax Credits, it is wholly the responsibility of the UK Government and is not one of the benefits devolved to the Scottish Government. The original idea of simplifying the social security system was a good one but the UK Government adopted it as the flagship of their politically driven austerity, so it has not been Westminster’s finest hour.

The people who highlight the flaws in the system and call for improvements are right to do so as the system is crying out for reform, but beware the law of unintended consequences.

The most damaging unwanted side-effect are the stigma and barriers that have sprung up around the benefit. Like it or not, Universal Credit is with us for the foreseeable future, so we have to tackle this stigma because it leads to reluctance among vulnerable and elderly people to claim what they are entitled to.

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Vulnerable people are going without because they are intimidated by the system and that’s not right. There are places where claimants can go to get help with claiming everything they are entitled to and all of our citizens in a modern, civilised country are entitled to enough money to live on. After all, this money does not belong to the government, it is our money.

West Dunbartonshire Citizens’ Advice have specialist staff and dedicated help available to support people at all stages of the application process. I recently met with Joe McCormack, West Dunbartonshire CAB’s chief executive officer, who told me at length about the new Help to Claim service which supports people who are making an application for Universal Credit.

The expert advice is independent, confidential and free so no-one should be put off getting the support they need. The Scottish Government also funds CAB’s Financial Health Check service which can ensure no one is paying over the odds for services and are receiving the money they’re entitled to.

Half a million Scots are not claiming all they are entitled to – a scandal that we never seem to hear about. I have submitted a motion to Holyrood to encourage the uptake of Universal Credit and highlight the important work of CAB’s in this regard. No-one should struggle by without claiming their rightful support, and I want anyone who needs help to get in touch with their local CAB.