Universal shambles
Tory chaos on benefits shake-up
19% of new claimants don’t receive their first full payment within 6 weeks
A VOTE to halt the disastrous rollout of Universal Credit passed last night after Tory MPs refused to take part.
The 299 votes to nil result heaps huge pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May, despite the Government insisting the Labour motion is not binding.
She earlier tried to appease Tory rebels by scrapping the controversial 55p-aminute Universal Credit hotline.
Labour wants to “pause and fix” benefit reforms which have left debt-ridden families waiting six weeks for cash.
Sarah Wollaston, a GP, was the only Tory MP to vote against the Government last night.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams accused Tory whips and the PM of “strong-arming” MPs.
She said: “This is a major defeat for the Government on their flagship social security programme. Yet
2000 claimants wait at least 10 weeks for full payment of universal credit benefits
again the Prime Minister and the Tories cannot command a majority in the House of Commons.” Commons Speaker John Bercow said he expected a minister to explain why the Tories abstained. He said it was “a statement of fact” Labour’s motion was passed, adding: “I think it highly desirable that the Government, in the light of the result, should come to the House and show respect for the institution by indicating what it intends to do.” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The Tories must now act on the clearly expressed will of Parliament and pause its roll-out.” Anger had mounted before the vote as Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke failed to deny
payment delays would cause a surge in demand for foodbanks. He did admit one in 25 claimants, or 2,000 a month, wait at least 10 weeks for full payment. Labour blasted the benefits overhaul during the debate, with Angela Eagle saying parents will be “destitute for Christmas Day”.
While Mrs May insisted, “It is a system that is working”, Tory rebel Dr Wollaston said: “I can’t support it moving forward until we’ve addressed those fundamental flaws.”
The vote came after Mr Gauke faced a fiery hearing of the Work and Pensions Committee, and claimed just one family had faced eviction by a housing association due to the benefit – despite 1,242 tenants in one borough alone, Southwark in London, having “eviction-level arrears”.
Yet again the PM and Tories can’t command a Commons majority DEBBIE ABRAHAMS FOR LABOUR YESTERDAY
THERESA May’s resistance to pausing the implementation of a Universal Credit system that robs families of £50 a week and pushes workers into poverty is the tin-ear of a PM losing both compassion and any remaining grip on reality.
Scrapping the contemptible 55p phone helpline was a humiliating baby step forced by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s exposure of it.
But Mrs May is still pig-headedly making life worse for struggling households.
We should judge politicians by their deeds, not words, and after another bad day at Prime Minister’s Questions, it is impossible to escape the conclusion this lame duck is swimming around in ever-decreasing circles.
Her moral compass is gone. What is a nightmare for families is also a nightmare for Mrs May. The PM’s lost the plot.