Credit wait is crunched

Changes to the UK government’s flagship welfare scheme have been made after intense criticism that lowincome families were suffering significant hardship.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the wait for the initial payment for Universal Credit claimants will be cut from six to five weeks.

He set aside a £1.5 billion package to cut the waiting period for payments and announced moves to make it easier for claimants to receive an advance.

The seven-day waiting period has been scrapped so that entitlement for Universal Credit starts on the day of the claim. Any household needing an advance can access a full month’s payment within five days of applying.

Mrhammondsaidtherepayment period for these advances would also be extended from six to 12 months.