The Chancellor of the Exchequer must use his Budget statement to make changes to Universal Credit and prevent more people and families being pushed into poverty, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said today. Continue reading Shirley-Anne Somerville: Universal Credit failings must be addressed in UK Budget
“claimants are often left flummoxed by how much – or how little – universal credit they will receive from one month to the next” – Alison Garnham, CPAG chief executive
Working people claiming universal credit are having their benefits capped when they shouldn’t be, and losing the effects of ‘work allowances’ worth up to £258 per month simply because of the dates on which their paydays and universal credit ‘assessment periods’ happen to fall, according to new evidence from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). Continue reading Universal Credit flaws leaving families in debt, says Child Poverty Action Group
“The Department has kept pushing the Universal Credit rollout forward through a series of problems. We recognise both its determination and commitment, and that there is really no practical choice but to keep on keeping on with the rollout.
“We don’t think DWP has shown the same commitment to listening and responding to the hardship faced by claimants. Maybe a change of mind set will follow the publication of the claimant survey on 8 June. We think the larger claims for Universal Credit, such as boosted employment, are unlikely to be demonstrable at any point in future. Nor for that matter will value for money.”
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, 15 June 2018 Continue reading Audit Office report condemns Universal Credit roll-out
LIFT (Low Income Families Together) organised an event to give local people an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing changes to the welfare and benefits system yesterday. Around sixty people attended the Scotland’s New Social Security System: What Does It Mean for You? conference in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre yesterday. Continue reading LIFTing the lid on Scotland’s new social security system
The ongoing problems with the roll out of Universal Credit and the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland will be raised by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee when it hears from Rt Hon Esther McVey (above), the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Continue reading Westminster Work & Pensions Secretary Esther McVay to appear at Holyrood Committee
The rationale for introducing Scottish Universal Credit (UC) choices will be outlined by Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman when she gives evidence to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into the roll-out of UC this morning. Continue reading Freeman to argue case for UC flexibility
Was the Westminster Budget good for Scots? As ever, opinion is sharply divided … Continue reading UK Government budget ‘delivers for Scotland’
Recipients of Universal Credit in Scotland will be offered two new ways to help them manage their money. People in Scotland making new claims in full service Universal Credit areas will have the choice of changing the frequency of their payments from once to twice monthly, and to have the housing cost element of their Universal Credit paid directly to their landlord. Continue reading Universal Credit: new option for Scots claimants
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman and COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Kelly Parry, have joined forces to demand a halt to the full service roll-out of Universal Credit in Scotland. In a joint letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions David Gauke, they raise a number of ‘abject failures’ of the new UK Government system. Continue reading ‘Abject Failures’: yet another call for halt to Universal Credit roll-out
A raft of leading Scottish charities have joined forces to urge the Westminster government to rethink plans for the full rollout of Universal Credit from October. They argue that the introduction of the new benefit has already caused real hardship for thousands of claimants and say problems must be addressed before many more vulnerable people are thrown into poverty when the full roll-out takes place. Continue reading Charities urge Westminster: call a halt to Universal Credit
