Universal credit


Calls for urgent reform of UK’s welfare system 24/01/2022 The UK’s social security system is failing to protect low-income families from extreme hardship and urgently needs reforming, researchers have warned.
Millions of people facing financial crisis this winter, charity warns 26/11/2021 A charity has called for urgent action after finding more than three million families are facing financial crisis this winter.
IFS reveals scope of Universal Credit 08/11/2021 Budget changes to Universal Credit mean families with well above-average earnings and even paying 40% rates of tax could be entitled to the benefit, according to an Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report.
Families with children to lose £20 a week over winter 27/09/2021 A typical low-income family with children could see their income fall by over £20 a week over the next six months, a think tank has warned.
Kerslake: Government must act now on rough sleeping 23/09/2021 Strides made to end homelessness during the pandemic could be lost if the Government does not act now, a major new report on rough sleeping has concluded.
Think tank calls for 'fairer' welfare system 20/09/2021 The welfare system should reintroduce a clear link between contribution and reward, according to the results of a three-year research programme.
Report warns UC uplift is 'lifeline' for vulnerable young people 15/09/2021 Vulnerable young people leaving supported housing will be disproportionately affected by the cut to Universal Credit, a new report has warned.
One in ten care workers 'trapped' on Universal Credit 13/09/2021 One in ten care workers are in receipt of in-work benefits, analysis by GMB has revealed.
COVID welfare claimants seen as more deserving than pre-pandemic claimants 02/09/2021 New research has revealed that COVID-19 benefit claimants are seen as much more deserving of welfare support than pre-pandemic claimants.
Devolved governments express ‘grave concerns’ over welfare cuts 31/08/2021 The devolved governments have written to the UK Government expressing ‘grave concerns’ regarding plans to withdraw a £20-per-week increase to UC.
Universal Credit cuts to force two million people into debt 26/08/2021 Government plans to cut Universal Credit this October could push 2.3 million people into the red, Citizens Advice warns.
Keep up COVID funding to end homelessness, says Kerslake 27/07/2021 Ending homelessness is possible, but the Government needs to keep up funding or face a post-pandemic surge, an independent commission concluded.
Study warns private landlords are reducing their housing benefit lettings 24/06/2021 The number of private landlords willing to let to housing benefit tenants is falling due to the way Universal Credit is administered, a study has warned today.
Report finds 200,000 people ineligible for UC due to partner’s earnings 18/05/2021 Hundreds of thousands of people are ineligible for benefits despite facing financial insecurity due to the coronavirus pandemic, study reveals.
Confusion and stigma stopped half a million people claiming UC during pandemic 20/04/2021 Around half a million people failed to claim for Universal Credit during the start of the pandemic despite being eligible for the benefit, new research has found.
UC claimants given access to longer work-related training 01/04/2021 An initiative aimed at increasing access to training for UC claimants will see an extension to the time people can receive UC during work-focused study.
Budget 2021: Sunak warns of pain to come 03/03/2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a budget to protect ‘livelihood and jobs’ – with a warning of public finance pain to come.
Budget 2021: Universal credit boost extended for six months 03/03/2021 The £20 uplift to Universal Credit has been extended for a further six months, the chancellor has confirmed in his Budget today.
BUDGET 2021: Sunak's lifeline for workers and business 03/03/2021 Rishi Sunak’s Budget is expected to provide a lifeline for workers as the furlough scheme is extended to September while the universal credit £20 uplift could also be prolonged for six months.
Household food insecurity at 'crisis' levels warns report 02/03/2021 The Government must make food insecurity a priority and move away from short-term emergency measures, a new report has urged today.
MPs calls for year-long extension of Universal Credit uplift 09/02/2021 Mps have urged the chancellor to extend the £20 weekly increase for Universal Credit for at least a year to stop hundreds of thousands of people falling into poverty.
Charity warns of soaring food bank use if UC uplift ends 04/02/2021 One in five people on Universal Credit are 'very likely' to use a food bank if the £20 weekly uplift is removed, new research has found.
Universal Credit £20 uplift ‘blunt policy instrument’, says think tank 25/01/2021 A think tank has described the £20 uplift to UC as a poorly targeted ‘blunt policy instrument’ and proposed its replacement with a ‘hardship payment’.
Council chiefs call for restoration of local welfare funding 13/01/2021 Local authority leaders have called on the Government to restore local welfare funding as a study warns of the impact the pandemic is having on people who were already struggling with poverty.
Lockdown piles extra financial pressures on low income families 12/01/2021 The extra cost of food, energy, and entertaining and home-schooling children has meant that low-income families with children are twice as likely to have increased their spending during the pandemic, according to a new study.
One million households face UC debt deductions 07/01/2021 More than one million households who were forced to claim universal credit (UC) when coronavirus struck are having debt deductions taken from their benefit payments, according to a child poverty charity.
Councils urged to back £20 Universal Credit uplift 10/12/2020 Councils have been urged to lobby the Government to make the £20 uplift in Universal Credit permanent by trade union Unite.
Study highlights ‘appalling’ rise in destitution in the UK 09/12/2020 The number of people experiencing destitution in the UK has increased by 54% in two years, a new study has found.
Faith leaders call for ‘cross-party strategy’ for tackling child poverty 02/11/2020 Faith leaders praise footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals and urge the Prime Minister to establish a cross-party commission with the mandate and resources to tackle child poverty in England.
MPs call for ‘starter payment’ to support new UC claimants 19/10/2020 A starter payment should be made to people claiming Universal Credit (UC) for the first time to ensure that they have enough money for the basics, MPs say.
Universal Credit does not cover ‘basic day to day living costs’, campaigners say 13/10/2020 Four in five people claiming Universal Credit do not have enough money to cover rent, food and bills, shocking new research reveals.
Automated benefit system 'pushing people into poverty' 30/09/2020 The UK’s automated benefits systems is threatening the rights of people most at risk of poverty, campaigners have warned.
Thousands of families face ‘bleakest’ winter, charity warns 14/09/2020 A new report from a children’s charity has warned of a ‘bleak’ winter with thousands of families set to be plunged into financial crisis.
A third more families with children now claiming universal credit 12/08/2020 Over 400,000 more families with children started claiming universal credit since the start of the pandemic, a charity has said.
Lords call for reform of 'failing' Universal Credit system 31/07/2020 A Lords committee has urged the Government to substantially reform Universal Credit to protect the most vulnerable.
London boroughs face £23m rent arrears due to Universal Credit 22/07/2020 The rollout of Universal Credit is leading to thousands of council tenants falling behind on rent payments, new research commissioned by London Councils has found.
Call to 'supercharge' early years services 17/07/2020 Early years services are failing to target the children that most need support, a report has warned today.
Nearly two thirds of families on Universal Credit stuck in debt ‘nightmare’ 18/06/2020 Two charities have called on the Government to increase the child element of UC by £20 to help struggling families ‘stay afloat’ during the Covid lockdown.
Councils call for tougher action on ruthless loan sharks 08/06/2020 Council leaders are calling for tougher sentences for loan sharks who are pushing vulnerable people further into debt.
Politicians calls for universal basic income to jumpstart economy 22/04/2020 The Government has been urged to make Universal Basic Income a crucial part of its coronavirus recovery plan by 110 MPs and Peers.
Figures show 400% monthly increase in benefit claims 21/04/2020 New claims for Universal Credit have increased by at least 400% in the past two months, new figures have revealed.
Millions of renters expect to lose their job in next three months 16/04/2020 One in five private renters in England expect to lose their job in the next three months due to the coronavirus crisis, new research has revealed.
Universal credit 'is key to hardship', says think tank 02/04/2020 Universal credit is the ‘key to many families avoiding real hardship’, the Resolution Foundation think tank has claimed.
Nearly 500,000 new Universal Credit claims made in nine days 26/03/2020 A think tank has warned that the UK is in the midst of an unemployment crisis as 477,000 new Universal Credit (UC) claims are made in nine days.
Study finds 64,000 UC recipients suffer ‘psychological distress’ 02/03/2020 New research has found that tens of thousands of people have experienced ‘psychological distress’ due to the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).
Universal Credit causing 'debt and destitution' charity warns 23/01/2020 Universal Credit is driving vulnerable people to use loan sharks, a debt charity has warned today.
Universal Credit creating ‘a complex mix of winners and losers’ 21/01/2020 The impact Universal Credit is having on different parts of the country is being ‘ignored’ a think tank has warned today.
Benefits payments at lowest level since 1948, says think tank 19/11/2019 Social security payments are at their lowest level since the 1948, a new report from a think tank has found.
Labour pledges to scrap Universal Credit 30/09/2019 Labour has promised to replace ‘inhumane’ Universal Credit with a new social security system.
Universal Credit drives food bank use, charity says 19/09/2019 A report from the main provider of food banks has warned that the roll out of Universal Credit has been a major factor behind the increase in food bank use.
Universal Credit driving tenants into rent arrears, study says 23/08/2019 Universal Credit is causing tenants to fall behind in their rent, new research from a group representing landlords has revealed.
Poverty result of ‘political decisions’, MPs say 31/07/2019 The poverty and destitution levels in the UK are the result of political decisions made since 2010, MPs have said.
Universal Credit should come with ‘health warning’, MPs say 23/07/2019 The Department for Work and Pensions should develop ‘clear and comprehensive guidance’ on when a benefit claimant is to be moved onto Universal Credit, MPs have said.
Universal Credit appeals blocked by ‘error and failures’, charity finds 19/07/2019 Universal Credit claimants who suspect the Department for Work and Pensions has made a mistake in their award are too often blocked by ‘error and failures’ in the system, a new study finds.
Universal Credit draining council resources 15/07/2019 Universal Credit (UC) is draining resources from councils, a new survey has found.
UC payment delays should be no more than a week, MPs say 11/07/2019 Two independent MPs have called for Universal Credit payments to begin within a week of registering for the benefit.
Housing association calls for an end to the 5-week wait for UC payments 26/06/2019 Housing association called for an end to the 5-week wait for Universal Credit payments after survey revealed two fifths of claimants forced to use food banks.
Whitehall blasted for trying to solve homelessness ‘on a shoestring’ 20/06/2019 An assessment of the state of homelessness prevention has criticised Whitehall for trying to solve the homelessness crisis ‘on a shoestring’.
Universal credit causing rent arrears, MSPs warn 12/06/2019 The Scottish Parliament has called for immediate action to tackle the problem of rent arrears it says have been caused by the Universal Credit system.
London parents 'locked out' of work due to rising childcare costs 06/06/2019 Nearly two in three local authorities in London do not have enough childcare to meet the demand from parents of school-age children, new research has revealed.
Welfare reforms put pressure on struggling families, report warns 13/05/2019 A new study looking at the impact of welfare reforms on child vulnerability has found that a quarter of children in low income families are unable to make ends meet.
Universal Credit ‘key driver’ behind increase in foodbank use 25/04/2019 The number of food parcels given out across the UK has gone up 73% in five years, according to a major charity.
MPs to investigate link between Universal Credit and ‘survival sex’ 19/03/2019 Reports that increasing numbers of people are being forced to exchange sex to meet basic needs due to welfare reforms are to be investigated by MPs.
Think tank recommends ‘helping hand’ payments for UC claimants 11/03/2019 Universal Credit claimants should receive an upfront ‘helping hand’ payment and financial compensation for late payments, think tank says.
Benefits system causing ‘serious psychological distress’ 04/03/2019 The benefits system is causing people with mental health problems ‘serious psychological distress’, a charity has revealed.
Universal Credit claimants are falling behind on housing payments warns Citizens Advice 06/02/2019 A cut in the time people have to wait for payment of Universal Credit has made no difference to the number struggling with debt, according to campaigners.
Disabled Universal Credit claimants take DWP to court for ‘irrational’ decision 23/01/2019 Two households are challenging the Department for Work and Pensions in court after being forced to move to UC and losing hundreds of pounds as a result.
Rudd to announce reforms to Universal Credit system 11/01/2019 A series of measures to reform Universal Credit are due to be announced today by the work and pensions secretary.
DWP’s interpretation of Universal Credit regulations ‘unlawful’, court rules 11/01/2019 The High Court today has ruled that the way the Department for Work and Pensions interprets Universal Credit regulations is ‘unlawful’.
Rudd delays Universal Credit rollout 07/01/2019 Work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd has delayed the next phase of the Universal Credit (UC) rollout amid ongoing concerns over the controversial system.
Universal Credit potentially ‘disastrous’ for disabled people 19/12/2018 MPs have warned of potentially 'disastrous' consequences for disabled people if the Universal Credit benefits system goes ahead as currently planned.
Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics 15/11/2018 Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.
Universal Credit reforms to help 200,000 families 12/11/2018 The Universal Credit reforms announced as part of the budget means an additional 200,000 families will be better off under the new benefit system, compared to the old one.
Universal Credit claimants given more time to switch over 06/11/2018 Universal Credit claimants are to be given more time to switch to the new benefit after warnings from campaigners and MPs that payment delays were causing hardship for vulnerable people.
Budget 2018: Billion-pound Universal Credit pledge 29/10/2018 A billion pounds has been promised in an attempt to ease benefits claimants’ transition to Universal Credit.
Liverpool mayor calls for ‘fair funding formula’ for councils 29/10/2018 The mayor of Liverpool has called for a Royal Commission to ensure a ‘fair funding formula’ for local council services.
Universal Credit ‘retrograde’ step in tackling domestic abuse 22/10/2018 Single household payments under UC are a ‘retrograde’ step which makes it difficult for victims of domestic violence to escape their abuser, according to MPs.
Council chiefs welcome Universal Credit roll-out delay 17/10/2018 Local authority leaders have welcomed Whitehall's decision to delay the roll out of Universal Credit but expressed concerns over the bill for housing support.
Landlords warn Universal Credit driving tenants into rent arrears 15/10/2018 Almost two-thirds of private landlords with tenants receiving Universal Credit have experienced them going into rent arrears, a landlord association has revealed.
Universal Credit driving welfare claimants to foodbanks, charity says 05/10/2018 The next stage in the change to Universal Credit could lead to a big increase in the use of foodbanks, anti-poverty campaigners have warned.
Universal Credit chief admits support is not working 01/10/2018 The civil servant in charge of the Universal Credit rollout has admitted support for claimants has not been effective, as responsibility was handed to the charity sector.
Charity to provide DWP-funded Universal Credit support 01/10/2018 The charity Citizens Advice is to start providing Government-backed support to help Universal Credit claimants navigate the new welfare system.
What are councils spending on discretionary housing payments? 18/09/2018 Local authorities are spending record sums on emergency payments to households that otherwise face eviction by private or social landlords. Neil Merrick investigates.
Universal Credit entering ‘most difficult phase’, think tank warns 06/09/2018 The Government should speed up Universal Credit payments if it wants its flagship welfare reform to be successful, think tank says.
UC claimants lose ‘hundreds of pounds’ due to assessment timing 06/08/2018 Many Universal Credit claimants are losing hundreds of pounds each year because their payday falls too close to their assessment date, a charity has revealed.
Universal Credit could increase risk of domestic violence, MPs warn 01/08/2018 Paying the Universal Credit benefit to a household rather than individuals could increase the risk of domestic violence, MPs have warned.
Universal Credit system ‘too complicated’, charity says 23/07/2018 Universal Credit claims ‘falter’ due to a complicated process and a lack of support, a charity which supports claimants has found.
Housing bodies warn of increase in Universal Credit rent arrears 12/07/2018 Nearly three-quarters of households on Universal Credit are in rent arrears compared to 26% of all households, new research has revealed.
Universal Credit is a ‘flawed’ system, housing organisations warn 10/07/2018 A group of housing organisations yesterday warned that Universal Credit is ‘flawed’ and is causing debt, suffering and hardship for millions.
Work and pensions secretary apologises for ‘misleading’ Universal Credit claims 05/07/2018 The work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has been forced to apologise for making misleading statements about the roll-out of Universal Credit.
Understanding your citizens to beat the Universal Credit challenge 27/06/2018 Local authorities and social housing providers must use data to provide a faster and more efficient service for the citizens they serve, says Gary Bell.
Minister claims UC claimants ‘happy with service’ despite criticisms 22/06/2018 A minister has defended Universal Credit against damning criticism from auditors, describing it as ‘an agile, adaptable system, fit for the 21st century’.
Universal Credit could put domestic violence victims ‘at further risk’ 19/06/2018 Reforms to the welfare system could increase women’s vulnerability to financial abuse, a new report has argued today.
DWP under fire over Universal Credit 14/06/2018 Auditors have heavily criticised the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the design and implementation of Universal Credit.
Over 1.5 million people were destitute in the UK last year 07/06/2018 More than 1.5 million people in the UK were pushed into destitution at some point last year, according to anti-poverty campaigners.
Carers face benefit ‘cliff-edge’, MPs warn 17/05/2018 MPs have called on the Government to remove the ‘cliff-edge’ in the benefit calculation that could see many carers lose their allowance.
Whitehall extends Universal Credit support to ‘kinship carers’ 30/04/2018 The Government has announced it would be extending support under Universal Credit to families looking after children who might otherwise be in the care of the local authority.
Rollout of Universal Credit increasing demand on food banks 24/04/2018 The rollout of Universal Credit is increasing the use of food banks by an average of 52%, new research has revealed today.
MPs to investigate link between Universal Credit and abuse 18/04/2018 The Work and Pensions Committee today announced they will be holding a one-off evidence session on the relationship between Universal Credit and domestic abuse.
Research warns of 'design flaw' in Universal Credit 12/04/2018 A ‘design flaw’ in Universal Credit is leaving self-employed workers at a financial disadvantage, new research has warned today.

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