SADIQ KHAN

It’s pushing people to brink of being homeless

THE Government must immediately abandon the national rollout of its flawed, cruel and harmful universal credit. The policy has already made the lives of those claiming UC much more difficult, with many now struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. This is not only pushing families into poverty, but often to the brink of homelessness too. Take the London borough of Tower Hamlets as an example. Shocking figures show that 80% of council tenants who are claiming UC are behind on their rent. Meanwhile, The Trussell Trust has said that foodbank usage is four times higher in areas where the new benefit has already been rolled out.

This is unacceptable and cannot go on. Of course we all want to see a simpler, fairer benefits system that improves the incentive for people to get out and work.

But with the massive cuts to benefits, combined with the Government’s incompetence, UC – in its current form – is hammering some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

If the Tories don’t change tack now, we could see many more people facing significant hardship, including those with severe disabilities and long-term health conditions.

It’s clear we need an urgent rethink. I’m giving my wholehearted backing to the Mirror’s petition to abandon the national rollout of UC and to start a review.

This issue is far too important to let the Government off the hook just because all the attention is on Brexit and Tory infighting.

Let’s keep the pressure on the Government so it does the right, and moral, thing.