Universal Credit hell is forcing women to sell sex
Despairing mum on Universal Credit shambles
MORE women are having to resort to prostitution as the Universal Credit shambles plunges them further into desperate poverty.
Charities have reported increasing numbers turning to sex work as a direct result of problems with the new payment which rolls six existing benefits into one.
Critics say two in five families – 3.2 million households – will be around £52 a week worse off under the system.
New claimants have to wait at least five weeks before they get any money – forcing many to turn elsewhere for desperately needed cash.
Single mum Julie from Merseyside said she had slept with a man for cash after an eight-week delay for her first Universal Credit payment.
She said she reluctantly took the step to get £30. Her bills are £800 a month but she receives £317 a month in benefits and has rent arrears of £1,000.
She said: “I’m ashamed to admit I’ve slept with a guy for money. I’ve only done that twice when I was really, really desperate and I won’t do it again.
“It’s something I never, ever thought I would ever be capable of doing. I just didn’t think it was in me as a person.
“So I’m very disappointed in myself and ashamed of myself. I had to use foodbanks. I’ve never been in that situation in my life. I’ve really struggled.”
She told the BBC: “It definitely wasn’t a decision I took lightly. I was so angry
with myself afterwards. But I’ve been put in that situation and I had no choice.”
Campaigners the English Collective of Prostitutes said as many as 12 women in the last two months have told them their main reason for turning to sex work was Universal Credit problems.
Spokeswoman Niki Adams said: “This is a policy which promotes prostitution.
“The women coming to us are raising issues with the delay in paying benefits, the hostile environment where they are trying to apply and get money, and then the sanctions which are applied.
“In the UK, 92% of sex workers are women and 70% are mothers – many of them single mothers. If mothers are being left without any income they won’t stand by and let their children go hungry or get by without any shoes.”
The group’s centre in Camden, North London, has seen an increase in women struggling with benefits as Universal Credit is introduced in the area.
Angela Murphy, of the Tomorrow’s Women charity in the Wirral, told the BBC: “The delay is massive, how are you supposed to cope? So people think, ‘I’ll go out, do a bit of sex work, it’s a quick fix’. But then they get trapped.”
The Mirror reported last week how women in Leeds were turning to sex work because of welfare cuts.
One 29-year-old mum-of-two told us a cut in benefits forced her on to the streets. She said: “They took £72 a week off me. My kids are nine and one, I need to get school uniform for the eldest.”
One 30-year-old mother said: “I’ve got no criminal record and I don’t take drugs. I’ve never stolen anything in my
life. But three months ago I lost my professional job of 10 years and I’ve got nothing to live on.
“I’ve got a claim in for benefits but haven’t had a penny. They tell me to be patient, but being patient isn’t going to feed my child or pay my mortgage. A few months ago I’d only ever slept with seven men, now I’m seeing perverts every night.
“I hate it but I’ve got to pay my bills and save my home. This is my secret, my partner thinks I work in a bar. It’s a horrible secret to keep.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood said: “Universal Credit was meant to lift people out of poverty but instead it is leaving many in debt and rent arrears. The fact some women have been forced into such desperate situations is more proof the Government needs to stop the roll-out immediately.”
Universal Credit rolls Child Tax Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Employment and Support allowance and Working Tax credit into a single payment.
Amber Rudd yesterday made her first Commons appearance since taking over as Work and Pensions Secretary from Esther McVey.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper urged her to halt the introduction of Universal Credit to address the problems.
Ms Rudd said: “I know there are problems... I know it could be better. We will have a fair and compassionate benefit system.” The Department for Work and Pensions said: “No one has to face hardship on Universal Credit, and 100% advances are available from day one of a claim.”
This is a policy which promotes prostitution. Mums won’t let their kids go hungry NIKI ADAMS OF THE ENGLISH COLLECTIVE OF PROSTITUTES