PREMIUM phone call rates are deferring South Ayrshire residents from claiming benefits they are entitled to.

The secretary of state for the DWP has opted to use a 0345 premium rate telephone line for the new Universal Credit service.

It was recently revealed that 45 per cent of all claimants are expected to use telephones to make claims or seek support.

Cllr Ian Cochrane proposed that the council request the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the matter and to ask that they reconsider this matter.

This was seconded by Cllr Nan McFarlane.

South Ayrshire Council supports the recommendations made by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee which called on Government to use 0800 Freephone numbers for all benefit services and that vulnerable people and those on low incomes in South Ayrshire should not face expensive charges for seeking advice on or trying to process their benefit claims.

Cllr Cochrane said: "There should be no charge for making benefit calls. 9000 children will be in poverty by 2021 in South Ayrshire. That makes 5.1 million children in total."

Cllr McFarlane said: "Doctors surgeries use high premium telephone numbers. I have tackled this issue in Troon but other surgeries still use these phone numbers."

Cllr Brian McGinley added: "I agree with the motion but we need a better and more realistic approach. The council needs to be more caring in its approach."

Councillors agreed to ask Work and Pensions to reconsider using premium rate telephone numbers.