Heather Jameson 02 April 2020

Universal credit 'is key to hardship', says think tank

Universal credit is the ‘key to many families avoiding real hardship’, the Resolution Foundation think tank has claimed.

The welfare scheme, which has been widely criticised for its failures in the past, has been lauded as a last resort by the think tank’s chief executive, Torsten Bell after it emerged that nearly a million new claims had been made in the past fortnight.

Mr Bell said: ‘We have never seen anything like this – it is not remotely normal even in the grim circumstances of a recession. 

‘While attention has understandably focused on new retention and self-employment schemes, Universal Credit delivering in the face of this huge jobs shock is the key to many families avoiding real hardship.’  

The Department of Work and Pensions said almost 950,000 people had applied for Universal Credit in the past two weeks, following the coronavirus outbreak, up from around 100,000 in a normal two-week period.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial Law

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial LawPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Education Safeguarding Adviser

Essex County Council
£36375.0000 - £42794.0000 per annum
Education Safeguarding AdviserFixed Term, Full Time£36,375 to £42,794 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enviro Crime and Enforcement Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
SO2 - £38,934 to £40,755
Make a real difference in your community Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

White Rose Forest Landscape for Water Project Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
The role of Landscapes for Water Project Officer and the White Rose Forest Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Finance Manager

Durham County Council
£66,164 to £68,493 p.a. (Band 2)
Are you an experienced finance leader ready to take on a high-profile role at the heart of a major organisational and financial transformation?   Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner