Universal credit


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.
Over 100,000 children to lose free school meals under reforms 05/04/2018 One in eight children who would have qualified for free school meals under the old system will become ineligible under universal credit.
Free school meals: What do the changes mean for families? 18/01/2018 Which children should be receiving a free hot meal at school and who should pay for it? Mark Whitehead reports.
Digital challenge of Universal Credit 16/01/2018 The introduction of Universal Credit (UC), which pulls your benefits into one place, may seem eminently sensible but there seems one major caveat: it relies on a level of digital literacy.
Reforms to free school meals would leave children hungry, warn union 15/01/2018 A leading union has dismissed government proposed reforms to free school meal entitlement as 'a cut disguised as a kindness.'
‘Under pressure’ HMRC threatens welfare claimants, MPs warn 12/01/2018 MPs have warned HMRC’s attempts at modernising amount to a ‘precarious high-wire act’ that threatens welfare claimants.
What is the future for Universal Credit? 10/01/2018
Councils forced to commit ‘valuable resources’ to cope with UC roll out 02/01/2018 Local authorities are being forced to commit ‘valuable resources’ to tackling the effects of Universal Credit (UC), Labour says.
Million children to lose free school meals under Universal Credit 19/12/2017 One million children living in poverty in England will miss out on free school meals under Universal Credit (UC) proposals, a children’s charity has warned.
Private landlords call for help reclaiming UC rent arrears 05/12/2017 Landlords are calling for a mechanism for them to reclaim any rent arrears built up by Universal Credit (UC) claimants who move out of their property.
Calls to Universal Credit helpline free, Whitehall confirms 30/11/2017 All calls to helplines for the Universal Credit benefits are now free, the Government has confirmed.
Councils to receive £70m for temporary accommodation costs 24/11/2017 New changes to the Universal Credit system will prevent councils from losing more than £70m in the money they spend on providing temporary accommodation.
Budget 2017: Council chiefs warn against ‘devolution deadlock’ 23/11/2017 Local government leaders today warned of the dangers of ‘devolution deadlock’ in their response to the Autumn Budget.
Budget 2017: Devolution and housing key planks in speech 22/11/2017 Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Budget has seen the chancellor unveil a raft of new devolution deals, measures to boost housing and changes to resolve issues with controversial Universal Credit.
Budget 2017: £1.5bn package to address Universal Credit concerns 22/11/2017 A £1.5bn support package has been announced in today’s Budget to help address concerns raised about the delivery of Universal Credit.
An extra 50,000 children could get free school dinners under Universal Credit reforms 17/11/2017 About 50,000 more children will be eligible for free school meals under new proposals for the Universal Credit system, according to the Government.
Universal Credit requirements pushing more single parents into poverty, warns charity 01/11/2017 The job search requirements placed on parents with pre-school children are 'unrealistic' and driving people into poverty, new research has revealed.
Pause the rollout of Universal Credit argues Welsh councils 26/10/2017 The rollout of Universal Credit (UC) must be paused, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has urged.
London borough warns Universal Credit pushing tenants into rent arrears 24/10/2017 Rent arrears for those claiming Universal Credit (UC) are worse than under the previous housing benefit system, new report reveals.
Four out of five landlords would refuse to rent to Universal Credit tenants 19/10/2017 Only one in five landlords are prepared to let their properties to people on Universal Credit or housing benefits, according to the latest poll.
Benefit freeze ‘biggest policy driver’ of poverty, think tanks finds 10/10/2017 Real terms cuts to working-age benefits and tax credits are set to drive almost half a million more people into poverty in 2020, think tank reveals.
Scottish landlords welcome adjustment to controversial UC roll-out 06/10/2017 Landlords in Scotland have welcomed a move to pay money for rent under the controversial Universal Credit system directly to them.
Scottish councils join call to halt rollout of Universal Credit 02/10/2017 The Scottish Government and councils have joined forces to demand a halt to the full service rollout of Universal Credit.
Universal Credit pushing people into ‘spiral of debt’, charity warns 11/09/2017 The expansion of Universal Credit (UC) is a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ because many of its problems have not been solved including the long wait for payments, charity warns.
Labour calls for halt of Universal Credit rollout 16/08/2017 New analysis shows single parents will be £3,100 a year worse off under Universal Credit (UC), as Labour calls for a halt to the Government’s welfare reforms.
Universal credit problems ‘unresolved’, housing providers say 25/07/2017 Social housing providers have called on Whitehall to halt the roll-out of universal credit (UC) which they say is causing problems for tenants and landlords.
Universal Credit forcing people into debt, charity reveals 07/07/2017 The rollout of Universal Credit (UC) should be paused until significant problems with it are fixed, charity says.
Gov plans to cut welfare to impact ‘poorest families’ 28/04/2017 Planned Government cuts will have a bigger effect on the entitlements of the poorest families than those made by the coalition, analysts say.
Rollout of Universal Credit doubling foodbank referrals, warns charity 25/04/2017 The number of people being forced to use foodbanks has risen over the past year due to the Government’s welfare reforms, a new report has found.
Benefit cuts ‘fuelling’ rising homelessness, charity warns 22/03/2017 A housing shortfall and Government benefit cuts are ‘fuelling’ rising homelessness as councils warn they are struggling to find social tenancies for homeless people.
MP: Government has its 'head in the sand' over Universal Credit 17/03/2017 The Government has been accused of having its ‘head in the sand’ over the impact Universal Credit will have on councils and claimants.
Universal Credit has 'devastating impact' on rent arrears says research 16/01/2017 The amount owed in rent arrears for people claiming Universal Credit and living in council housing has nearly doubled in the past year, new research has revealed.
Poverty in working households at ‘record high’ levels 07/12/2016 A ‘record high’ of more than half of the people in poverty are in working households, shocking new research reveals.
Autumn Statement: Hammond ‘reinforces’ Universal Credit with benefit tweaks 23/11/2016 Phillip Hammond has announced an overhaul of the speed at which benefits are withdrawn under Universal Credit.
Council voices 'deep concerns' over roll-out of Universal Credit 22/11/2016 One of the councils piloting the roll-out of Universal Credit has warned it has ‘deep concerns’ over the scheme.
Benefits freeze contributes to child poverty 09/11/2016 The benefits freeze and cuts to Universal Credit threatens to increase the number of children living in poverty, charities warn.
Universal Credit on 'road to recovery' finds study 06/09/2016 A study has revealed the government’s reforms to the welfare system have been turned around from the brink of disaster three years after auditors warned the programme needed to be ‘re-set’.
Rollout of Universal Credit to be delayed 21/07/2016 Local authorities will continue to deliver housing benefit for pensioners beyond 2020 following a delay in the rollout of Universal Credit, the Government has announced.
'Indisputable link’ between UC and rent arrears, study finds 07/06/2016 More than three-quarters (79%) of council tenants in receipt of Universal Credit (UC) are in rent arrears, a new report reveals.
Benefit cuts driving people into despair, report warns 25/05/2016 Benefit sanctions are driving people into destitution and despair, according to local government and third sector groups in Salford.
Warning that Universal Credit has 'serious design flaws' 03/05/2016 A think tank is warning that recent changes to Universal Credit have left it with ‘serious design flaws’ and major reforms should be made before it is fully rolled out.
Seven million children will be hit by benefit freeze 23/02/2016 A new report has warned four million low-income families will be affected by the freeze in benefits, pushing more children into poverty.
5,000 council staff at risk of redundancy 09/12/2015 Up to 5,000 council benefit administrators could be made redundant, according to an exclusive report from our sister magazine The MJ.
Review to be conducted into local council tax support scheme 02/12/2015 A review into how local council tax support schemes are bring delivered is to be conducted by MP and former council leader, Eric Ollerenshaw.
Government cuts set to hit ‘poor working families’ 27/11/2015 Low-income working households on Universal Credit will lose £1,300, according to the Resolution Foundation.
Tax credit reforms must not 'jeopardise' incentives to work 04/11/2015 The Government should protect work incentives for low income families, urges the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).
MPs call for 'urgent steps' to help poorer pupils 09/10/2015 MPs are calling for urgent reforms to schools’ funding formula to ensure disadvantaged pupils are not losing out at school.
Committee calls for action on 'unresolved' Universal Credit issues 22/07/2015 Further warnings have been sounded over Government’s roll out of Universal Credit (UC) by the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC).
130k children pushed into poverty by childcare costs, warn campaigners 22/06/2015 Hundreds of thousands of children have been into poverty thanks to rising childcare costs, campaigners have warned.
‘Reboot’ Universal Credit concludes review 08/06/2015 The Government should continue with its Universal Credit (UC) programme but implement ‘far-reaching’ reforms to address flaws in the policy, a think tank has concluded.
Iain Duncan Smith returns to manage £12bn welfare cuts 11/05/2015 Iain Duncan Smith will continue to oversee the Conservative’s sweeping welfare reform as work and pensions secretary, David Cameron has announced.

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