MORE than half of people moved onto Universal Credit in East Lothian lost an average of £44 a week in benefits.

Research by the Citizens Advice Bureau found that the impact of the new benefits system, which was piloted in the county, was mainly negative, with those who did see an increase in payment seeing on average just 34p more.

And it has been claimed the new benefits system hits women involved in prostitution particularly hard as they face the “real possibility” of eviction.

The figures were revealed in a paper produced by East Lothian and Midlothian Public Protection Committee, setting out a joint position on commercial sexual exploitation in the two local authority areas.

It warns that the majority of women involved in prostitution in Scotland are affected by poverty and welfare cuts, saying: “It is anticipated that in the light of recent changes to the welfare system, this situation can only get worse.”

The report went on to warn: “The time lag between making a claim and receipt of first benefit can be six to seven weeks, leading to a range of difficulties such as an accumulation of rent arrears leading to a real possibility of eviction.”

Universal Credit was introduced to combine a range of benefits into one single payment, but problems with the amount of time it took to make payments led to a huge increase in rent arrears in the county.

The statement, which is signed by the chief executives of both East Lothian and Midlothian Councils, urges its partners to join them in challenging commercial sexual exploitation and changing attitudes.

It states that while in America it is estimated that 80 per cent of men had paid for sex, in Scotland it is estimated only four per cent did the same.

However, it adds: “These figures are based on self-reports from a small sample of men which may have resulted in under-reporting.”

The joint statement noted that there had been no recorded crimes of commercial sexual exploitation in both counties but warned women who were uncertain of their immigration status, as well as those working in the sex industry, might face significant barriers in reporting a crime.

And it revealed that a search of three adult services sites on two separate days last July found nine postings from women in Midlothian and three from East Lothian.

The statement said: “There is a general failure to equate activities such as prostitution, lap dancing and escort services with gender inequality and gender-based violence which needs to be challenged.”