CUMNOCK resident Gary Mullen branded Universal Credit as a ‘total disgrace’ after it forced him into debt.

The 46-year-old had to take time off to look after his dad, who has alzheimer’s, and found himself relying on the credit system.

He had to wait seven weeks for his dads carer forms to come through which left him with no income while his bills started to stack up.

Gary was then left without enough money to get by and couldn’t pay rent, or afford food and electric bills.

He was forced into debt for the first time in his life as he had to rely on family to help him stay afloat.

Now he is calling for Universal credit to come an end to stop other people being put in difficult positions.

He said he is thankful he doesn’t have a family that depend on him, and can’t imagine what it would be like for someone who has other mouths to feed to rely on.

Although Gary isn’t using Universal Credit anymore he says he still has a long way to go before paying everything off.

“It is a complete disgrace. Universal Credit is a sham and a scam.

“I left my job as a support worker so I could help my mum care for my dad with alzheimer’s and had to sign up whilst waiting on my dad’s care forms being processed.

“I am still trying to pay back the £813 which mounted now with my pitiful carers allowance.

“I’ve worked since I left the school at 16. I have always enjoyed being in a job I was a chef, a baker, and then a support worker for years until recently when I became my dad’s carer.

“Now I’m stuck in debt for the first time in my life through no fault of my own, it doesn’t make sense.

“I am glad that I don’t have kids or my situation would have been a lot worse.

“I had to rely on my parents and neighbours to buy me shopping and help me out massively.

“This should not be happening in 2019.”

Brian Whittle MSP defended the benefit change.

He said: “The roll out of Universal Credit is the largest change to our welfare system in more than a decade.

“The principles of Universal Credit; simplifying the system, supporting more people who can work into work and ensuring that people on the system who find work, don’t find themselves financially worse off as a result; are supported by all political parties."