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700 adults in mid Wales could be missing out on disability income support
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Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
Union demands SNP and UK ministers act over Cesscon Decom energy firm collapse and 'decimated' industries
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Union bosses have warned Scotland's two governments the impending closure of a key oil and gas decommissioning firm is proof plans for a just transition for energy workers are falling flat without jobs being 'decimated with no viable alternatives'. The GMB union has branded Livingston-based Cesscon Decom closing its doors as 'a worst-of-all-worlds outcome'. Jobs are poised to be lost, with staff potentially unable to obtain Universal Credit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cesscon Decom has told staff it faced ceasing trading | Contributed The Scotsman reported the chief executive of Cesscon, Lee Hanlon, emailed staff to tell them the company, which dismantles and recycles defunct offshore infrastructure, faces going into liquidation, with around 20 staff at risk of losing their jobs. It has now emerged the decommissioning firm is subject to a wind-up petition at Livingston Sheriff Court. Louise Gilmour, secretary of GMB Scotland, has penned a letter to SNP Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, warning about the situation at Cesscon and the wider just transition. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In her letter, seen by The Scotsman, Ms Gilmour has cautioned the two governments 'the current status of Cesscon Decom Ltd needs to be investigated and clarified', as well as 'the use of public money given how much has been invested'. 'Our members have not received any wages since May,' she wrote. 'The firm has also not made payments into the pension funds since November 2023 despite making deductions to our members' payslips up to June 2025. 'Thousands are owed to our members who are being left in the lurch by Mr Hanlon.' GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour. Picture: Andrew Cawley Ms Gilmour stressed that 'as a result of not being formally made redundant', workers are also 'unable to claim Universal Credit putting them into hardship'. She has called for 'urgent assistance' in obtaining social security for the workers involved. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In May, a warning was issued that the oil and gas sector was 'sleepwalking into an unjust transition'. A report from the Just Transition Commission highlighted "urgent and ambitious action, investment and government leadership" was needed. Ms Gilmour said: 'It is just months since the fabrication yard at Methil was saved after the promises of a 'just transition' failed to materialise yet again. 'Millions of pounds of public funds have been put into Cesscon and developing the Methil site. It was heralded as a key component in the 'just transition'. Its closure is becoming an all too typical part of the story in Scotland's 'just transition'.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She added: 'North Sea jobs are being decimated, with no viable alternatives in renewable energy, whilst even jobs in decommissioning are being lost. This is a worst-of-all-worlds outcome. 'The site at Methil is fit for purpose. We have rigs that need to be decommissioned, and more importantly, it has a workforce ready and able. There is no reason why decommissioning work cannot continue at the site. However, it will require political leaders to urgently broker a deal for the lease of the site and further contracts.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Funding to regenerate a derelict site into an industrial unit was provided to Fife Council. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The council has indicated that the land, which is owned by Scottish Enterprise, was leased to Cesscon Decom on commercial terms and that the improvements made to the site remain in place and continue to represent a valuable asset for future use by other operators at the Energy Park in Methil." A UK government spokesperson said: "We understand this will be a deeply concerning time for the workers and their families. The UK government worked at pace to retain Harland & Wolff at the Methil site and will continue to work on delivering a fair and prosperous transition in our energy sector."
Cambrian News
a day ago
- Cambrian News
700 adults in mid Wales could be missing out on disability income support
People who are working, have savings or are getting other benefits are still eligible for PIP - those identified are already receiving Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance, and classed as having Limited Capacity for Work-Related Activity.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Universal Credit and 11 benefits to be paid early this month – exact payment dates revealed
Plus, other major upcoming Universal Credit and PIP changes FOR YOUR BENEFIT Universal Credit and 11 benefits to be paid early this month – exact payment dates revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS on Universal Credit and 11 other benefits can expect early payments this month. Benefits are paid into your bank or building society account earlier if your usual payment date falls on a bank holiday or the weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Universal Credit and 11 other benefits are being paid early this month to some claimants Credit: Alamy The next bank holiday is on Monday, August 25, meaning if you're expecting a payment on this date it will be made on August 22. So, if you check your statement on August 22 and notice a surprise amount of money, it will likely be your benefit being issued earlier. If you are paid earlier than usual this month, make sure the money stretches further as you will have to wait longer than normal to get your next payment. Universal Credit and 11 other benefits are paid on the first working day before a bank holiday. The full list is: Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance Maternity Allowance Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment State Pension Universal Credit Anyone paid one of the above 12 benefits on August 22 instead of August 23, 24 or 25, should receive the same amount as usual. The only reason the payment amount might change is if you have had a change in your circumstances. For example, if you are on Universal Credit and your earnings have increased, your payment might go down. If you are expecting a payment on August 22 and don't receive it, contact the DWP. You can also submit a complaint to the Government department to get a problem sorted if your payment is wrong. How does work affect Universal Credit? After August, there are two more bank holidays before the end of the year which could impact when you receive your benefits. Here's when DWP or HMRC will make your payments: December 25 - payments will be made on December 24 instead - payments will be made on December 24 instead December 26 - payments will be made on December 24 instead Upcoming changes to Universal Credit and PIP Last month, the Government U-turned on its welfare bill meaning Brits on Universal Credit and PIP will see fewer changes. Sir Keir Starmer had been hoping to push through reforms that would have seen some benefit claimants receiving less money. The Government had planned to make major changes to the health element of Universal Credit. A single person who is aged 25 or over can receive the basic level of the benefit, which comes in at £400.14 every month. But those getting an incapacity top-up due to a disability or long-term condition can get an extra £423.37. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. The new plans mean that anyone up to the age of 22 will not be able to claim the health element. Ministers had also tried to freeze the payment for the next four years but a commitment was made for it to go up with inflation. That means people claiming the health element of Universal Credit and new claimants with the most severe conditions will see their incomes protected in real terms. Meanwhile, PIP claimants would have faced stricter tests to qualify for support. The Government had put forward that people would need to score four points in one task such as washing and dressing to qualify for support. Currently they can qualify with eight points across multiple activities. The Government initially partially u-turned, saying the changes would come into effect in November 2026, but anyone claiming the benefit before this date would not be impacted. However, following a rebellion from 47 MPs, the Government shelved the PIP plans entirely. You can find out more in our guide. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
