Universal credit

• Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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.