Universal Credit needs a U-turn
MANY agree the rollout of Universal Credit is proving to be a nightmare and is likely to grow into an even bigger one – with the exception of Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke and most Tory MPs, of course.
Many councils are predicting an increase in evictions which could cost millions in temporary homes.
As a benefits adviser, I saw this would not work when it was first mooted in 2010 – and many charities feel the same. It is a vanity project which needs to be halted urgently.
The Government must see sense and make a U-turn. Unfortunately, I am not holding my breath. Gary Martin, East London What may have started out as concern about the size of the benefits budget has paved the way for a series of brutal welfare reforms affecting the unemployed, the sick and the disabled. Iain Duncan Smith created a climate within the Department for Work and Pensions where there was a lack of compassion for clients and disregard for their welfare. When he resigned he left behind an almighty mess for others to clear up, not least the flawed Universal Credit benefit. John Costello Wolverhampton Theresa May’s claim that she’s building a country that works for everyone must be the biggest lie going. Universal Credit is making poor people even poorer. How can claimants live and pay their rent if they have to wait six weeks for their benefit?
Perhaps the Prime Minister has been misquoted and what she really said is she’s building a country that works only for the rich. Mick Rutland, Stockton-on-Tees With regard to the rollout of Universal Credit, I fear the worst is yet to come. Many claimants struggle to manage their two-weekly Jobseeker’s Allowance, so imagine what will happen when all benefits, including housing benefit, are paid directly into their bank account on a monthly basis? I can see many people out on the street over this and everyone saying they should have managed their money better. Justin Spencer, Basingstoke, Hants The Government has been told the switch to Universal Credit is not working and people are getting behind with rent because of waiting six weeks for payment. The problem is the Tories just don’t care. They should hold back the rollout until the problems are sorted out. They are playing with people’s lives. Pat Shaw, Barnsley, South Yorks The six-week wait during the transition period from the present benefit system to so-called Universal Credit is nothing short of criminal. Conservative Work And Pensions Secretary David Gauke claims everything is going to plan but fails to explain what that plan is. John Irving, Leeds One of the reasons the Government has given for Universal Credit being paid monthly is it’s to get people used to managing money for when they get a job. The thing is, most working class people are paid weekly. It just shows how out of touch the Government is. Simon Hartley via Facebook