Benefits advice for sex offenders

Sex offenders are being given tips on how to stop their benefits being cut.

The advice is being meted out by social workers who fear Government welfare reforms like the so-called bedroom tax might hit convicted paedophiles and rapists in the pocket.

But the move has been criticised by victims. Campaigner Margaret-Ann Cummings whose eight-year-old son Mark was killed by a paedophile in Glasgow in 2004 said: “There are plenty of people who have lost out because of the new strict rules. This is an insult to those families.”

The one-on-one advice is being offered by social workers employed by Glasgow City Council.

They sought out those who stood to lose most cash, giving them advice to ensure their allowances keep coming in.

The disclosure comes after our revelations this month that registered sex offenders are being dumped in Scotland’s poorest communities.

Margaret-Ann, 38, added: “Once again, this is an example of how sex offenders seem to be a protected, privileged class in society. It makes me sick.”

The plan was recommended in an annual report on how Glasgow monitors sex offenders.

At first, council bosses suggested drawing up a leaflet on welfare reform for sex offenders to “identify those most likely to be adversely affected”. But, under freedom of information laws, officials admitted that “verbal advice was given instead”.

There are around 450 registered sex offenders living in Glasgow, but it’s unclear how many were given assistance or if their crimes made them more likely to get a DHP.

A council spokesman said: “Measures within the Government’s welfare reform programme are targeted at registered social landlords and their tenants and I’m sure nobody wants folk caught out whether they’re sex offenders or not.

“The advice RSOs received was the same as anyone else in that situation how to mitigate the effects, what designations of a spare room are exempt and encouraging people to seek a DHP.

“They were sought out particularly in this case because it is desirable in terms of public safety that RSOs have as stable a housing situation as possible.”