PM must heed calls to axe universal credit

Sir, - With the Tory party conference in Manchester under way I believe that Theresa May has made a serious mistake by insisting that the rollout of the highly controversial universal credit will continue.

Even several people in her own party have advised her to put the plans on hold.

Universal credit was the ‘brainchild’ of Ian Duncan Smith whose benefits reform speeches demonised those seeking work as workshy.

It is obvious this has been passed on to job centre staff who treat clients with disdain and contempt.

This is going to cause serious problems for both jobseekers and tenants with private landlords.

Many people claiming this allowance are short of money and often don’t have savings to fall back on.

With claimants having to wait up to six weeks for the first payment, the Government has come up with a plan to offer claimants a loan to be repaid from benefits.

This is not helpful as it is going to encourage people to get into debt.

How is receiving a large lump sum once a month going to work for people who have problems managing money or have addiction issues?

This system is unfair and has been badly thought out.

All Theresa May’s speeches about making this country fairer are simply hot air.

This is an example of neglecting the most needy in society and the Conservatives showing how out of touch they really are with ordinary people. Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.

Picture: PA. Theresa May is under fire over universal credit.