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

Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities

Essex County Council
Negotiable
Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities - Maldon District CouncilMaldon District CouncilPermanent, Full TimeUp to £88,700 per annumLocation England, Essex, Maldon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner