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

Executive Director of Children’s Services (DCS)

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
£149,000 – £175,000
This is a defi ning leadership opportunity in a borough with real momentum Stockport, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Property Management Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Social Worker

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Social Worker£38,... London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Registered Manager - Children's Home - WMF2945e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£51,356 - £52,413 (plus an additional market factor supplement of £7,842)
Are you looking for a role that offers more than just career progression? Dalton-In-Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

AYSE Social Worker - WMF2956e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£34,434 - £35,512
Would you like to work in a positive, close-knit and supportive environment Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner