Mark Whitehead 19 December 2018

Universal Credit potentially ‘disastrous’ for disabled people

MPs have warned of potentially 'disastrous' consequences for disabled people if the Universal Credit benefits system goes ahead as currently planned.

The Department for Work and Pensions has said no claimant will be worse off when they move onto the new system, and severely disabled people will get more than they would have done under the old system.

But members of the parliamentary work and pensions committee say less severely disabled people could 'pay the price'.

They say benefits top-ups for disabled people who do not have a paid-for carer under the previous system do not exist under Universal Credit.

Committee chair Frank Field said: 'It would be a terrible betrayal of these people to allow another failure of planning in this mega reform to worsen their situations, even one bit.

'No one should ever be forced further into poverty, deprivation, miserable hardship by a policy reform.

'The Government must assure disabled people across this country that will not happen to them, and plan and put the measures in place to make that promise good.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior/Principal Regeneration Officer

Fareham Borough Council
£45,465 - £55,379
Our town centre regeneration is moving from planning to delivery, and we're looking for someone who wants to help make regeneration happen. Fareham, Hampshire
Recuriter: Fareham Borough Council

Lawyer

East Cambridgeshire District Council
£38,510 to £44,253 per annum plus benefits
Are you building your legal career and ready to take on broader responsibility? Ely, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Senior Lawyer

East Cambridgeshire District Council
£47,665 to £51,928 per annum plus benefits
We are looking for a confident and experienced Senior Lawyer Ely, Cambridgeshire
Recuriter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Senior Practitioner - Children & Young People with Disabilities

Essex County Council
£48205.0000 - £57988.0000 per annum
Senior Practitioner - Children & Young People with Disabilities - Mid EssexPermanent, Full Time£48,205 to £57,988 Per Annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Neighbourhood Highways Engineer (Northern)

Devon County Council
£46,579 - £50,908 per annum
We are recruiting an experienced and collaborative Neighbourhood Highway Engineer to help keep Devon’s highway network safe, resilient and moving. Taw View, Barnstaple, EX32 2SU or Tiverton Business Park, EX16 6T
Recuriter: Devon County Council
Linkedin Banner