A coalition of more than 30 leading charity organisations has warned that the UK Government's welfare plans could result in vulnerable people falling into even greater poverty.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR) raises particular concern over the increase in conditionality attached to benefits entitlement and whether current benefit levels are adequate.

The letter suggests for example that measures like full-time work for benefits "treat claimants in a punitive and undignified manner".

As a result, SCoWR warns the reforms will not provide enough support for people wanting to start work or enough protection for those unable to work, while some could be plunged into even deeper poverty.

Furthermore, the letter argues the plans are "unworkable" as they do not consider devolved areas contained in welfare reform like childcare provision and skills development.

Commenting on the reforms, the head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, John Dickie, said: “There is no question that reform of our welfare system is needed, but such reform needs to treat people with dignity, lift them out of poverty, be adequately resourced and fit with devolved policy on skills and childcare. The current proposals fail on all four counts and treat people in a punitive and undignified manner.

"The sheer range and number of organisations behind this letter to the Secretary of State shows the scale of the concern the proposals are causing across Scotland.”

The director of The Poverty Alliance, Peter Kelly, added: "The UK Government must think again about the direction of its reform of the welfare system.

"At a time when unemployment is rising it is misguided to put more pressure on people to find work, particularly those who face real barriers getting back to work.

"If the UK Government is serious about protecting people from poverty as this recession bites, then it must look at the value of welfare benefits, not at penalising people who can't find work."

The letter has been sent as the Green Paper on Welfare Reform, entitled 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility', completes its three month consultation period.