HUNDREDS of people claiming Universal Credit are facing financial misery over Christmas, union leaders have warned.

MORE than 75% of people surveyed said the new benefit has pushed them into debt, or further into financial hardship, with many forced to use food banks and borrow cash off family and friends.

A further 60% of those polled said they had struggled to pay the rent.

Unite the Union released the survey findings to coincide with a national day of action, opposing the benefit roll-out, on December 1.

Universal Credit, which replaces six individual allowances, is being rolled out across the UK. It will be introducted to Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Shettleston next month.

A total of 1141 people responded to the survey over six weeks in October and November

Rent arrears were raised by a number of people and the fear of eviction was evident in the responses, according to the union.

Disabled people and those who are sick reported a huge drop in income as a result of moving on to Universal Credit.

The vast majority (82 per cent) have a negative view of the new benefit and a significant number had problems either claiming the benefit on-line or maintaining their claim through an on-line journal

Unite community coordinator for Scotland, Jamie Caldwell said: ““Universal Credit is causing misery and suffering, as the survey results clearly show. Despite knowing this, the UK government is still intent on ploughing ahead regardless, while claimants are descending into debt, relying on food banks and getting into rent arrears and in some cases being evicted from their homes.”