UC FAMILIES BUDGETS ARE ‘UNWORKABLE’

While Universal Credit is being delayed for many, there are families already on it suffering hardship, a debt charity warns.

Christians Against Poverty says it is helping more and more people on UC with “unworkable budgets”, left with £10 a month for food.

And there are plenty who managed to get themselves out of debt, becoming good at money management, now back in a financial muddle because of the new benefits system.

Matt Barlow, chief executive of CAP, said: “It’s an especially busy time of year for us, and more people getting in contact are doing so with Universal Credit as part of that picture.

“Sadly, we are also seeing more of our former clients, who had successfully been through our debt counselling, return to us because Universal Credit has them back where they never wanted to be.

“The wait without money when they first apply, followed by severe deductions and a reduction in the final payment is leaving them with too little.”

Mum-of-three Catherine is one of those struggling on Universal Credit after losing wages when her young son was hospitalised after an accident.

Catherine, 47, from Lancashire said: “I work as a community support worker and was receiving Universal Credit as a top-up to my pay. “But since November I’ve had to fully rely on the benefit. I’m unable to carry out my job as it’s done on a rota and I don’t have any leeway to be flexible.

“My son is still having treatment and is not at school full time yet.

“I was just managing while working but am £200-plus a month worse off. I ended up at Christmas with not a penny for food or presents.”

Catherine is getting help from CAP to try to get her finances back on track.

She adds: “Without them we wouldn’t have had any food. Believe me I can’t wait to get things back to normal and be back to work.

“It seems ridiculous that a benefit meant to help people through tougher times actually puts them in a very vulnerable position.” STRUGGLE Catherine