Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and Suicide

Mainstream media articles telling the effects of Universal Credit’s hostile environment for benefit claimants

DPAC Research Team

May 2019

Trigger Warning: The contents of this document are extremely distressing. People who are likely to be adversely affected by this should stop reading here.

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) is a grass roots campaign body. It was formed by a group of disabled people after the first mass protest against the austerity cuts and their impact on disabled people held on the 3rd October in Birmingham 2010, England. It was led by disabled people under the name of The Disabled Peoples’ Protest. DPAC has over 20,000 members & supporters and an outreach of over 45,000 disabled people. DPAC works with many anti-cuts groups, Universities, Disabled Peoples’ Or-ganisations, and Unions

mail@dpac.uk.net www.dpac.uk.net Twitter: @ Dis_PPL_Protest

Scrap Universal Credit Alliance (SUCA) is a national alliance of organisations and individuals campaigning to stop and scrap Universal Credit. It is organising and supporting local groups and building a national social movement through campaigns,  social media and direct action.

www.suca.org.uk Fb: Scrap Universal Credit Alliance Twitter @SucAlliance

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Table of ContentsIntroduction..........................................................................................................................................2Mainstream Media Articles on Universal Credit..................................................................................3Further reading...................................................................................................................................75

National Audit Office Reports.......................................................................................................75Work And Pensions Committee Reports........................................................................................76Institute for Fiscal Studies.............................................................................................................78Academic articles...........................................................................................................................79Fact checks.....................................................................................................................................82Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA)....................................................................................83Local Government Reports on Universal Credit...........................................................................86

IntroductionOn 14th May 2019, an article appeared the Guardian “Coming soon: the great universal credit deception “ which told of a leaked internal DWP memo about the DWP’s plan to spread positive messaging in the media about the catastrophic new welfare system, Universal Credit.

The memo had originally been leaked to DPAC’s Sheffield group, and they had passed it on to the Guardian. While the Guardian article was being written by columnist Aditya Chakrabortty, the DPAC research team immediately began our own work to counter the misinformation about to be spread by the DWP. This document is the result of our work.

This document tells the reality about the effects of Universal Credit. It does this by listing several hundred local and national mainstream news articles that were collected over just 16 weeks, between 20th January and 12th May this year, 2019.

Within this document you will find harrowing stories of people forced into debt, rent arrears, homelessness, crime, prostitution, hunger, people unable to afford fares to get to food banks, parents unable to get essentials for their babies, child poverty, worsening mental health, ex-service people considering suicide and even cases of actual suicide.

Look at the names of the publications as well, many of them are from local papers, spread around every part of the UK, from the wealthy south east to the south west, the Midlands, the North, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. No part of the UK is spared the DWP’s hostile environment for benefit claimants.

The common cause of all these desperate social catastrophes can be expressed in two words.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit.

AcknowledgementsThanks are due to Sophie Talbot who diligently collated the articles presented in this document

Mainstream Media Articles on Universal CreditHomeless and freezing - life for rough sleepers on city streets after ...Birmingham Live2 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/homeless-freezing-life-rough-sleepers-15769199 Paddy O'Grady blamed problems with universal credit for reducing him to begging ... “I fell homeless when I got switched over to universal credit,” he said.

Universal Credit leaves Coventry couple with just £1 a day to live onCoventry Live2 Feb 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-news-universal-credit-foodbank-15661350 Colin claims his Universal Credit payment was reduced because HMRC had a record of him earning around £400 in wages, something Colin disputes.

Grandmother forced to use food bank after Universal Credit left her ...ChronicleLive2 Feb 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/grandmother-forced-use-food-bank-15739628 When Margaret Young separated from her partner, her world was turned upside down. The 54-year-old had to make a Universal Credit claim on her own for the ...

Surge in applications to Dundee council for help with homelessnessEvening Telegraph2 Feb 2019https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/surge-in-applications-to-dundee-council-for-help-with-homelessness/ “The problem is there aren't enough roofs to put over people's heads – and since that Universal Credit came in and people got their rent directly, they're ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit families hit by shameless DWP phone tactics used to ...Scottish Daily Record2 Feb 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/shameless-phone-tactics-avoid-helping-13941088 The National Audit Office has slammed the Tories' chaotic rollout of universal credit, which has caused thousands of families severe hardship. The watchdog ...

Universal credit scores lowest for satisfaction in benefits surveyThe Guardian2 Feb 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/01/universal-credit-scores-lowest-for-satisfaction-in-benefits-survey Universal credit has the lowest claimant satisfaction rates of any welfare benefit, according to an official survey that suggests tens of thousands of people are ...

Universal Credit: Copy of 'deflection script' used to get claimants off the ...inews.co.uk2 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/work/copies-of-deflection-script-used-to-get-people-claiming-universal-credit-off-the-phone-discovered/ The Department of Work and Pensions has denied the existence of a script deployed to Universal Credit call centre workers to deflect claimants' questions about ...

Mum's Universal Credit hell in mouldy and crumbling flatPlymouth Live2 Feb 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/universal-credit-pay-dates-counselling-2491533 A Plymouth mum says her mental health is rapidly in decline as she struggles with life on Universal Credit. Linda Lavercombe has a nightmare on her hands as ...

DWP criticised after 'personal trainer' in video promoting Universal ...HeraldScotland1 Feb 2019https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17402589.dwp-criticised-after-personal-trainer-in-video-promoting-universal-credit-is-also-an-actor/ The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted a personal trainer who appeared in a Universal Credit promotional video is also an actor. Work and ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Evangelism tops agenda for CofE synod meetingsChristianToday1 Feb 2019https://www.christiantoday.com/article/evangelism-tops-agenda-for-cofe-synod-meetings/131622.htm 'Many lives are ravaged by the contemporary "four horsemen of the apocalypse": Universal Credit, low-paid work, food poverty and austerity. 'The Grenfell Tower ...

Universal Credit staff use 'deflection' scripts to get desperate people ...The Sun1 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8329300/universal-credit-staff-deflection-scripts-off-phone-sky-news/ UNIVERSAL Credit staff were given a "deflection script" to encourage callers to get off the phone. The leaked document, which has been published by Sky News ...

'I'm too sick to work and am living on £250 a month in universal credit ...inews.co.uk1 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/money/sick-work-living-universal-credit-cant-get-pension/ Private pensions are invaluable to a comfortable living in retirement and are likely to hold the bulk of an individual's savings. But what happens if you can't ...

Number of Hastings families facing homelessness at an 'all-time high'Hastings and St. Leonards Observer1 Feb 2019https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/number-of-hastings-families-facing-homelessness-at-an-all-time-high-1-8793521 ... number of our families facing the threat of homelessness is at an all-time high in Hastings caused by the perfect storm of the introduction of Universal Credit, ...

Ill grandmother left penniless for months as she's denied sick pay after ...Hull Daily Mail31 Jan 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/ill-grandmother-left-penniless-months-2488748 The personal assistant then says she looked into making a joint claim for Universal Credit with her partner, Alan Goult, before ultimately deciding to go back to ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

The British town hit harder by Tory austerity than anywhere else in the ...Mirror.co.uk31 Jan 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ros-wynne-jones-locals-say-13935151 Critics of Tories in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, tell of town struggling with losing its traditional industries to the zero-hour economy, and its budgets slashed by an ...

Rough sleeping and overcrowding figures prompt calls for actionThe Guardian31 Jan 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/31/rough-sleeping-rises-in-nearly-all-englands-major-cities-london-birmingham Universal credit should be helping people to escape homelessness but, instead, it is trapping people on the streets, preventing them from finding a safe place to ...

Universal Credit is putting an 'unprecedented' number of Rochdale ...Manchester Evening News31 Jan 2019https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/universal-credit-putting-unprecedented-number-15764006 Jill McGregor Rochdale Council's assistant director of children's social care, told a scrutiny committee that Universal Credit was 'without doubt' having an impact ...

Universal credit and childcare debt: Nurseries forced to set up their ...daynurseries.co.uk News31 Jan 2019https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1605185/universal-credit-and-childcare-debt-nurseries-setting-up-food-banks-in-receptions The government's flagship Universal Credit scheme was designed to get more parents back into work, but daynurseries.co.uk has found many are being pushed ...

People with mental illness are most at risk of losing benefits, study ...The BMJ24 Jan 2019https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l345/rr-0 ... people in two years died as a result of benefit sanctions under Universal Credit; DEFRA oversees 36,000 deaths in the UK annually due to illegal air pollution; ...

New Universal Credit reform needed says reportResidential Landlords Association (press release) (blog)

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

6 Feb 2019https://news.rla.org.uk/new-universal-credit-reform-needed-says-report/ Responding report by Citizens Advice today showing 49 per cent of those it helps with Universal Credit are in rent arrears Chris Town, RLA Vice Chair said: ...

Huge rise in people sleeping on the streetsPublic Finance31 Jan 2019https://www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2019/01/huge-rise-people-sleeping-streets ... the government must invest in more genuinely affordable housing as well as reviewing the impact of welfare reforms like the benefit cap, universal credit and ...

'Families on Universal Credit are so hungry they're eating stolen dried ...The Sun31 Jan 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8206800/universal-credit-families-hungry-stolen-dried-pasta/ Sun Online visits Morecambe, one of the first places Universal Credit was rolled out, and finds families hit by delayed payments and a harsh taper rate, who are ...

Hastings MP Amber Rudd defends Universal Credit video featuring actorHastings and St. Leonards Observer31 Jan 2019https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/politics/hastings-mp-amber-rudd-defends-universal-credit-video-featuring-actor-1-8791629 Hastings MP Amber Rudd has defended sharing a Department for Work and Pensions video which featured an actor promoting the benefits of Universal Credit.

WWHC: Universal Credit has made it 'almost impossible' to provide ...Scottish Housing News31 Jan 2019https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/wwhc-universal-credit-has-made-it-almost-impossible-to-provide-rent-options West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative (WWHC) is to consult on a proposed rent change for the forthcoming financial year but has blamed Universal Credit for ...

Dramatic spike in people in Angus receiving crisis grantsThe Courier30 Jan 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/819011/dramatic-spike-in-people-in-angus-receiving-crisis-grants/ ... that the huge spike in people seeking crisis support to help meet their basic needs in Angus has coincided with the roll out of Universal Credit in the area.

Man parks Land Rover in front of Jobcentre after being refused extra ...Metro30 Jan 2019https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/man-parks-land-rover-front-jobcentre-refused-extra-benefits-8416712/ Mr Bailey claimed he couldn't afford the fee to establish a stall using his Universal Credit payments. He said: 'The Jobcentre is supposed to help you get into ...

Fears vulnerable being deprived of treatment as fines of £100 for ...The Independent30 Jan 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-fraud-fees-dentist-prescription-charge-nao-investigation-audit-penalty-a8754746.html ... depending on the type of benefits they are on, and the BDA says densely typed forms and the rollout of universal credit have made things more confusing.

Don't tell people on Universal Credit to 'get a job'Plymouth Live30 Jan 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/universal-credit-pay-dates-appeals-2486806 There's problems with her Universal Credit welfare payments - something about a 90 day waiting time? She's not sure, it's so confusing and she's already ...

Chesterfield Foodbank appeals for cash donations to help it continue ...Derbyshire Times30 Jan 2019https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/chesterfield-foodbank-appeals-for-cash-donations-to-help-it-continue-the-great-work-it-does-1-9566201 As well as the rollout of universal credit, other financial reasons for people using the foodbank include low wages, zero hour contracts, debt, payday loans, credit ...

Universal credit glitch claimed to affect rent payments for thousands of ...WalesOnline30 Jan 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/personal-finance/universal-credit-glitch-claimed-affect-15753760 Thousands of Welsh housing associations tenants on universal credit could be affected by a technical glitch, it is claimed. They will miss out on a week's worth of ...

Universal Credit row sees man barricade Jobcentre because he had ...Mirror.co.uk30 Jan 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-universal-credit-barricades-jobcentre-13928120 A man on Universal Credit barricaded the entrance to a Jobcentre because they would not give him money to set up a dog grooming market stall. A furious Steve ...

Charity raises debt concerns over Universal Credit but says people ...Hucknall Today30 Jan 2019https://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/news/charity-raises-debt-concerns-over-universal-credit-but-says-people-are-getting-false-nostalgia-for-old-system-1-9565652 More than 2,500 people in Mansfield and Ashfield have been moved on to Universal Credit, despite concerns it could push claimants further into debt.

Woman armed with huge metal post filmed smashing up ex's Sh4 ...The Standard30 Jan 2019https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ureport/article/2001311379/woman-armed-with-huge-metal-post-filmed-smashing-up-ex-s-sh4-million-bmw I blame the universal credit." Julie Whitley said on Facebook: 'Looks like a lady with an axe to grind." And Asim Siddiq added: "Disgraceful behaviour, there are ...

DWP admits 'personal trainer' in video promoting Universal Credit is ...The Independent30 Jan 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-credit-video-actor-dwp-charlie-watson-amber-rudd-a8752956.html The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted a personal trainer who appeared in a video promoting Universal Credit is also an actor.

Father-of-two turned drug courier 'due to two-and-a-half month wait for ...The Courier

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

30 Jan 2019https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/818527/father-of-two-turned-drug-courier-due-to-two-and-a-half-month-wait-for-universal-credit-benefits/ He applied for Universal Credit benefits to support his partner and their two young children – one of whom is disabled – but was told it would take 10 weeks ...

Alarm as self-employed bankruptcies hit four-year highFreelance UK30 Jan 2019https://www.freelanceuk.com/news/16499-alarm-self-employed-bankruptcies-hit-four-year-high.shtml ... saying that although self-employment has 'done the heavy-lifting for the labour market,' its practitioners face unwieldy, taxing policies such as Universal Credit ...

Sick man living on food parcels and facing bankruptcy due to ...Mirror.co.uk29 Jan 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sick-man-living-food-parcels-13924086 A sick man who racked up £2,000 in debts say he has been left on the verge of bankruptcy due to Universal Credit . John Betts suffers from a range of ...

Universal Credit has left me thousands in debt, living on food parcels ...ExaminerLive29 Jan 2019https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/universal-credit-left-thousands-debt-15747540 A sick man fears bankruptcy may be the only way to escape a spiral of debt he says was caused by being put on Universal Credit. John Betts is the latest person ...

Universal Credit payment loophole could leave hundreds of ...The Sun28 Jan 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8295081/universal-credit-payment-loophole-hundreds-thousands-renters/ HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits on Universal Credit will miss out on a week's worth of rent this year due to a technical glitch, housing associations have ...

Universal Credit delay forces dad awaiting kidney transplant to live in ...Scottish Daily Record27 Jan 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/universal-credit-delay-forces-dad-13913259 After applying for Universal Credit in July 2018, he claims it took 28 days for him to receive the payment, forcing him to leave his one-bedroom flat because he ...

View from the House: Universal Credit concerns were ignoredNewham Recorder26 Jan 2019https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/newham-recorder-guest-column-east-ham-mp-stephen-timms-universal-credit-concerns-were-ignored-1-5861558 A vote was due in parliament this month on moving three million existing benefit claimants onto Universal Credit. The government has now bowed to pressure.

'The Government don't care' - Gateshead woman who can't work out ...ChronicleLive26 Jan 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/the-government-dont-care-gateshead-15720498 Sheila, of Gateshead, had her benefits moved from Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit - despite the fact she has learning disabilities and can't ...

Universal Credit 'not fit for all' admits Government complaints bossBirmingham Live26 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-not-fit-all-15735007 The man in charge of handling Universal Credit complaints says he believes the Government's flagship new welfare scheme is 'not fit for all people, all the time.'.

Food bank use doubles in RomseyDaily Echo26 Jan 2019https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/17386973.food-bank-use-doubles-in-romsey/ Cllr Alan Dowden is urging the government to look at Universal Credit again and is ... Universal Credit is replacing six benefits, merging them into one payment.

Former soldiers are being left 'suicidal' by Universal CreditThe National26 Jan 2019https://www.thenational.scot/news/17386752.former-soldiers-are-being-left-suicidal-by-universal-credit/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Former soldiers are being left 'suicidal' by Universal Credit ... after a Scottish Government minister said some are left “suicidal” by Universal Credit (UC).

Shoplifter with 'bulging' bags admits pinching radio-controlled car from ...Stoke-on-Trent Live26 Jan 2019https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/shoplifter-bulging-bags-admits-pinching-2423105 Robert Holt, mitigating, said Smith has been a 'victim of Universal Credit' and had not received any benefits for six weeks when she took the item. Mr Holt said: ...

Universal Credit: Harrogate residents 'carrying cost' of new benefitsHarrogate Advertiser26 Jan 2019https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/universal-credit-harrogate-residents-carrying-cost-of-new-benefits-1-9559051 Harrogate residents continue to 'carry the cost' of problems that emerged following the rollout of the government's flagship benefits system, Universal Credit.

Veterans left suicidal by Universal Credit problems, says ministerBirmingham Live26 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/veterans-left-suicidal-universal-credit-15735238 Veterans are being left feeling suicidal by problems with Universal Credit, a minister has said. They are suffering because of an 'inbuilt inflexibility' with the new ...

Disabled mum had her benefits cut just hours after her husband died ...inews.co.uk26 Jan 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/real-life/disabled-mum-had-her-benefits-cut-just-hours-after-her-husband-died-of-cancer-and-had-to-use-a-credit-card-to-bury-him/ Read more on Universal Credit struggles: UK Universal Credit: DWP accused of 'burying' news that pensioners with younger partners are set to lose hundreds ...

DWP 'values' veterans as some 'suicidal' over Universal CreditThe National26 Jan 2019https://www.thenational.scot/news/17386717.dwp-values-veterans-as-some-suicidal-over-universal-credit/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

DWP 'values' veterans as some 'suicidal' over Universal Credit ... after a Scottish Government minister said some are left "suicidal" by Universal Credit (UC).

Universal Credit pay confusion 'forces woman into credit card debt'Plymouth Live26 Jan 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/universal-credit-debt-arrears-dwp-2440703 A Plymouth woman has told how her credit card bills are stacking up because of a mix-up over her Universal Credit payments. She claims she was qualified for ...

Severely disabled people moved to Universal Credit 6 months after ...Mirror.co.uk26 Jan 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/severely-disabled-people-moved-universal-13907474 In June 2018, it was announced people with Severe Disability Premiums (SDPs) would stop moving to Universal Credit. But the actual law only took effect last ...

You cannot tweak a broken DWPPublic Finance1 Feb 2019https://www.publicfinance.co.uk/opinion/2019/02/you-cannot-tweak-broken-dwp Compared to its work with people in 'frictional unemployment' – those who, before Universal Credit would have been on Jobseeker's Allowance – the DWP has ...

Blog: Universal Credit - the story so farScottish Housing News1 Feb 2019https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/blog-universal-credit-the-story-so-far A lot of media attention was given to the Universal Credit migration programme ... whereby those on old-style 'legacy benefits' are transferred to universal credit.

NewsnightBBC News25 Jan 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06z2b3n A new policy paper from domestic abuse charity Refuge claims that Universal Credit - the government's new benefits system - is placing society's most ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit: Hundreds of thousands of people set to lose out on a ...Mirror.co.uk26 Jan 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/universal-credit-hundreds-thousands-people-13906552 Hundreds of thousands of Universal Credit claimants are set to lose out on a week's rent next year thanks to a major glitch, housing associations have warned.

Universal Credit leaving veterans 'suicidal' says Scottish ministerHeraldScotland26 Jan 2019https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17385696.universal-credit-leaving-veterans-suicidal-says-scottish-minister/ Universal Credit leaving veterans 'suicidal' says Scottish minister. Universal Credit leaving veterans 'suicidal' says Scottish minister ...

Clydesdale OAP couples to lose £7k per yearCarluke Gazette25 Jan 2019https://www.carlukegazette.co.uk/news/clydesdale-oap-couples-to-lose-7k-per-year-1-4862372 She explained that couples can currently claim Pension Credit - an ... Universal Credit will reverse this, meaning a mixed-age couple will be defined by the ...

Universal Credit technicality threatens hundreds of thousands with ...Inside Housing24 Jan 2019https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/universal-credit-technicality-threatens-hundreds-of-thousands-with-underpayment-59865 Hundreds of thousands of social housing tenants on Universal Credit are set to have their housing costs underpaid in the next financial year due to a quirk in the ...

Leicester dad says universal credit delay means he can't afford to feed ...Leicestershire Live24 Jan 2019https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-dad-says-universal-credit-2466524 A dad has described the embarrassment and shame he feels at not being able to provide for his toddler son because of delays with his universal credit claim.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Rising rent arrears prompt increase in Highland Council bad debt ...Press and Journal24 Jan 2019https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/inverness/1662145/rising-rent-arrears-prompt-increase-in-highland-council-bad-debt-provision/ Problems caused by the roll out of Universal Credit were largely to blame for a £670,000 increase in arrears since last April, the council's head of housing and ...

More than 100000 people in Greater Manchester now receive ...Manchester Evening News24 Jan 2019https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/universal-credit-manchester-benefit-payments-15724932 The number of people on universal credit has shot up in Greater Manchester, with thousands more being put on the controversial benefits scheme in December ...

'I've absolutely had enough': Tory MP embarks on anti-austerity tourThe Guardian24 Jan 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/24/ive-absolutely-had-enough-tory-mp-embarks-on-anti-austerity-tour Council workers explained they had seen a surge in referrals to food banks since the introduction of universal credit. In June, when universal credit was first ...

Rudd accused of misleading MPs on universal credit by exaggerating ...Disability News Service24 Jan 2019https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/rudd-accused-of-misleading-mps-on-universal-credit-by-exaggerating-jobcentre-visits/ The new work and pensions secretary has been accused of misleading MPs about her government's under-fire universal credit benefit system, after she was ...

Universal Credit claimants are 'victims of unlawful discrimination' the ...Cornwall Live24 Jan 2019https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/universal-credit-claimants-victims-unlawful-2466005 In a test case over Universal Credit, three claimants are bringing a legal challenge and argue they were left worse off after being moved on to the new system ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Shocking figures show two-thirds of Hull council tenants on Universal ...Hull Daily Mail24 Jan 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/shocking-figures-show-two-thirds-2466093 Two-thirds of Hull council tenants now claiming Universal Credit are in arrears with their rent, it was revealed troday. The controversial all-in-one benefit was ...

Birmingham food banks at 'crisis point' because of Universal CreditBirmingham Post24 Jan 2019https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/birmingham-food-banks-crisis-point-15725764 Universal Credit has brought Birmingham food banks to crisis point, it has been claimed. Birmingham City Council and the The Trussell Trust have jointly written ...

Birmingham food banks at 'crisis point' because of Universal CreditBirmingham Live24 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-food-banks-crisis-point-15725764 Universal Credit has brought Birmingham food banks to crisis point, it has been claimed. Birmingham City Council and the The Trussell Trust have jointly written ...

Man hits out after 'harsh' treatment in Universal Credit caseAndover Advertiser24 Jan 2019https://www.andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/17382391.man-hits-out-after-harsh-treatment-in-universal-credit-case/ A UNIVERSAL Credit claimant has spoken out about his “harsh” treatment at Andover Jobcentre which failed to accommodate for his handicap when processing ...

Welfare 'reforms' are pushing mentally ill people over the edgeThe Guardian23 Jan 2019https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/24/welfare-reform-mentally-ill-injustice Universal credit has already been linked to an increased suicide risk, with the stress of being left for weeks without money, affecting claimants' mental health so ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Council to stop giving help on Universal CreditWessex FM23 Jan 2019https://www.wessexfm.com/news/dorset-news/2789734/council-to-stop-giving-help-on-universal-credit/ Help and advice for local people claiming Universal Credit will be provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau rather than the local council from April. But the change ...

Thousands on Universal Credit are 'victims of unlawful discrimination ...Birmingham Live23 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/thousands-universal-credit-victims-unlawful-15723913 In a test case over Universal Credit, three claimants are bringing a legal challenge and argue they were left worse off after being moved on to the new system ...

How do you survive on Universal Credit?Ipswich Star23 Jan 2019https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/citizens-advice-speaks-about-universal-credit-in-suffolk-1-5863649 Recent figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions show that the number of people on Universal Credit has increased by 190% since December ...

DWP rejects call for 'readiness test' before continuing Universal Credit ...Civil Service World23 Jan 2019https://civilserviceworld.com/articles/news/dwp-rejects-call-%E2%80%98readiness-test%E2%80%99-continuing-universal-credit-rollout The Department for Work and Pensions has rejected a call from a parliamentary committee to delay the transfer of claimants onto the Universal Credit system ...

Legal action launched after disabled woman 'forced on to Universal ...Scottish Daily Record23 Jan 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/legal-action-launched-after-disabled-13894891 CPAG claims the women were left worse off after being "forced" to move to Universal Credit (UC) from previous benefits, following incorrect decisions by the ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit leaving students HUNDREDS of pounds worse off ...Birmingham Live23 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-leaving-students-hundreds-15699413 Thousands of students are being hit hard by the new Universal Credit system, which is leaving them hundreds of pounds worse off every month. The Royal ...

Huge rise as hundreds of Universal Credit council tenants in rent arrearsHull Daily Mail23 Jan 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/universal-credit-council-tenants-arrears-2459932 East Riding Council figures show that last year Universal Credit (UC) tenants in arrears rose by 151 per cent, from 154 tenants on September 5 to 387 on ...

Government faces High Court challenge over impact of universal ...The Independent23 Jan 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/universal-credit-high-court-disabled-dwp-child-poverty-action-group-amber-rudd-a8741941.html The government's universal credit system “irrational” and has a “disproportionately adverse effect” on disabled claimants, campaigners will claim as they ...

'I had to quit my flat to live in a freezing caravan...' - Heart attack dad's ...Stoke-on-Trent Live23 Jan 2019https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/universal-credit-delay-dad-caravan-2457881 After applying for Universal Credit in July 2018, he says it took 28 days for him to receive the payment, forcing him to leave his one-bed flat because he could no ...

Universal Credit: Waspi women among those set to lose out as DWP ...inews.co.uk22 Jan 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/universal-credit-waspi-women-dwp-reforms-benefits-pensioners-partners/ But the DWP's reform means that from May these mixed age couples will only be able to claim Universal Credit. It will leave them £500 worse off a month than ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Benefits Street star Fungi going through 'hell' as universal credit ...Birmingham Live19 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/benefits-street-star-fungi-going-15688066 Benefits Street star Fungi has dubbed universal credit “the worst thing in the world” after his monthly payments were cut by more than half. Fungi, real name ...

Universal Credit's five-week wait pushing Brits into spiralling debts ...The Sun19 Jan 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8229251/universal-credits-five-week-wait-pushing-brits-into-spiralling-debt-no-matter-what-mps-warn/ BRITS on Universal Credit will spiral into more debt when switching over to the new benefits system, MPs have warned. The powerful Work and Pensions ...

Bailiffs empty man's home after Universal Credit plunges him into debtBirmingham Live19 Jan 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/bailiffs-empty-mans-home-after-15702857 A man whose home was emptied by bailiffs after he went on to Universal Credit says it has left him suicidal. Harry Dent ended up in rent arrears after being ...

Universal Credit 'nightmare' for parents grieving four-year-old son's ...Mirror.co.uk9 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-nightmare-parents-grieving-13973652 Sabrina McCarl and partner Marco Simoes have been forced to use foodbanks and say they have no money for clothes after their son Tiago died from ...

Cornwall's eviction rates are being revealedPirate FM9 Feb 2019https://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-news/2801895/cornwalls-eviction-rates-are-being-revealed/ The Local Government Association has warned that households on Universal Credit are having increasing problems paying rent. The latest Ministry of Housing, ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Family struggling after son's death tell of 'nightmare' on universal creditBirmingham Live9 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/family-struggling-after-sons-death-15791529 A couple traumatised by the loss of their severely disabled son say their lives have been made a “nightmare” since being switched over to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit: 5 things families living on the benefit system struggle ...Somerset Live9 Feb 2019https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/universal-credit-5-things-families-2513938 Universal Credit was introduced as a benefit system that would make life easier for struggling families across the UK. But many say the roll out has left them ...

Universal credit: DWP 'bans jobcentres from referring people to food ...The Independent9 Feb 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/food-banks-universal-credit-dwp-jobcentres-uk-a8769921.html Jobcentre staff have been ordered not to refer universal credit claimants to food banks, in a move campaigners have said is preventing vulnerable people from ...

Increased financial demands on D&G CouncilThe Galloway Gazette9 Feb 2019https://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/news/increased-financial-demands-on-d-g-council-1-4869681 Dumfries and Galloway councillors have received a stark update on the impact of welfare reform and the introduction of Universal Credit on May 16, 2018.

Special feature: Soup kitchen feeding Rotherham's homelessRotherham Advertiser8 Feb 2019https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,special-feature-soup-kitchen-feeding-rotherhams-homeless_30666.htm “We've even had elderly people there who are struggling to have a hot meal,” she said. “It's very sad — Universal Credit is making so many people struggle.”.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Homeless 'sharing their sleeping bags with rats' in effort to stay warmMetro8 Feb 2019https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/08/homeless-sharing-sleeping-bags-rats-effort-stay-warm-8472700/ According to the team leader at the Changing Lives drop-in centre, delays with Universal Credit mean that many people are struggling to say in accommodation.

Universal Credit staff BANNED from giving out foodbank vouchers to ...The Sun8 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8373197/universal-credit-staff-banned-foodbank-vouchers/ UNIVERSAL Credit staff have been banned from handing out foodbank vouchers to hungry people who can't afford to buy food. Workers are advised to "verbally ...

Half of kids in English private rents are living in povertyBig Issue8 Feb 2019https://www.bigissue.com/latest/half-of-kids-in-private-rents-are-living-in-poverty/ ... insufficient social housing for the boom in families, who have already been hit by tax credits cuts and the Universal Credit roll out, staying in private rentals.

Warning over 'housing crisis' as Universal Credit rolls outBelfast Telegraph7 Feb 2019https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/warning-over-housing-crisis-as-universal-credit-rolls-out-37790197.html Eileen Patterson, the new chair of the Northern Ireland Board of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said the full rollout of Universal Credit would only make ...

MS sufferer and her carer left without benefits for five weeks thanks to ...ExaminerLive7 Feb 2019https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/ms-sufferer-carer-left-without-15797820 The McLellands rapidly found themselves caught between the Department for Work and Pensions, which administers Universal Credit, and Kirklees Council, ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

South Tyneside Council's £200000 emergency housing payments billShields Gazette7 Feb 2019https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/politics/south-tyneside-council-s-200-000-emergency-housing-payments-bill-1-9581783 ... group which supports struggling families in South Tyneside said: “The situation is already at breaking point with the introduction of Universal Credit and things ...

Homelessness crisis is severe, say charitiesChurch Times7 Feb 2019https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/8-february/news/uk/homelessness-crisis-is-severe-say-charities “Universal Credit should be helping people to escape homelessness, but, instead, it is trapping people on the streets, preventing them from finding a safe place ...

The Somerset mum on Universal Credit who cannot afford to feed her ...ITV News7 Feb 2019https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2019-02-07/the-somerset-mum-on-universal-credit-who-cannot-afford-to-feed-her-children/ A mother from Somerset on Universal Credit says she has been forced to turn to a foodbank in order to feed her children. Lisa Chant, from Peasedown St John, ...

Universal Credit hell means my kid would be better off being in careThe Sun7 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8376942/universal-credit-hell-means-my-kid-would-be-better-off-being-in-care/ Emma from Gloucestershire has been left £257 short every month since being rolled onto Universal Credit and has to regularly rely on foodbanks to put food on ...

New mum and her baby coming home to freezing flat without hot water ...Southwark News7 Feb 2019https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/comment/new-mum-and-her-baby-coming-home-to-freezing-flat-without-hot-water-puts-the-day-to-day-reality-of-living-in-aylesbury-estate-into-sharp-focus/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

... responsible for housing, has told this paper of the difficulty of finding accommodation when many private landlords will not rent to universal credit claimants.

'Austerity cuts have led to a real crisis' for rough sleepers in HastingsHastings and St. Leonards Observer7 Feb 2019https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/politics/austerity-cuts-have-led-to-a-real-crisis-for-rough-sleepers-in-hastings-1-8801649 “Then add to this to the car crash that is universal credit, a benefit system that seems to solely designed to undermine the lives of the most vulnerable in our town, ...

More Reform to Universal Credit Needed, as Tenants Fall into ArrearsLandlord News (blog)7 Feb 2019https://www.landlordnews.co.uk/reform-universal-credit-tenants-arrears/ More reform to Universal Credit is needed, as tenants are falling into rent arrears, insists the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). The organisation is ...

Mum begs online for cash to feed her son after Universal Credit delaysMirror.co.uk7 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-begs-online-cash-fed-13965887 While at work, Farzana's Universal Credit payment was hit by the taper rate - a figure set by the Government to reduce benefits if you earn more than a set ...

Council loses £1.4m on benefit mistakes and delaysEnfield Independent7 Feb 2019https://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/17413029.haringey-council-loses-14m-on-benefit-mistakes/ Head of benefits Amelia Hadjmichael said the council was having problems recruiting staff because the roll-out of Universal Credit – a welfare scheme that ...

Is Universal Credit forcing people to become homeless?Wessex FM7 Feb 2019https://www.wessexfm.com/news/dorset-news/2800628/is-universal-credit-forcing-people-to-become-homeless/ A Weymouth councillor has claimed that Universal Credit is forcing more people into becoming homeless. Dr Jon Orrell says more people are ending up on the ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Flesh eating bugs and despair: Inside Tent City 'created by devil of ...Mirror.co.uk7 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/homeless-sleep-rough-tent-city-13964549 So people are getting Universal Credit, buying something they like and then ... Jay Haywood, who runs Homeless Leeds, said: “Universal credit is the devil ...

Universal Credit delay left me so poor I have to beg strangers for cash ...The Sun7 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8351590/universal-credits-left-me-so-poor-i-have-to-beg-strangers-for-cash-to-feed-my-toddler/ Farzana Miah plunged £4,500 into debt since signing on for the new benefit last year. The mum-of-one drained her savings during the five-week wait for cash ...

Landlord says late benefits has left him 'penniless' and forced to make ...Hull Daily Mail6 Feb 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/landlord-penniless-benefits-lodger-homeless-2511392 He says his lodger is entitled to Universal Credit, in which there is an element allocated for housing which is managed by Hull City Council. But he says the ...

Universal credit 'hits people with poor mental health'BBC News6 Feb 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47130969 A woman who claimed universal credit after leaving her job because of poor mental health was left with no income for more than two months and had to move ...

Call for universal credit overhaul amid fears of looming evictions crisisThe Guardian6 Feb 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/06/call-for-universal-credit-overhaul-amid-fears-of-looming-evictions-crisis Citizens Advice has called for a root and branch overhaul of universal credit, after revealing that half of all claimants who came to it for help managing the new ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Landlords are refusing to let homes to people on Universal Credit ...Birmingham Live6 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/landlords-refusing-homes-people-universal-15792347 Letting agents said they believed Universal Credit claimants might be unable to pay the rent - either on time, or at all - because their benefits wouldn't cover it.

Half-blind and disabled homeless man in tears as he sleeps rough ...Mirror.co.uk6 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-austerity-universal-credit-forced-13962528 “Austerity and Universal Credit have been an absolute catastrophe for ... a lot of younger lads at the moment, who are homeless because of Universal Credit.

'Northampton woman on Universal Credit had to look for work within ...Northampton Chronicle and Echo6 Feb 2019https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/northampton-woman-on-universal-credit-had-to-look-for-work-within-days-of-losing-her-husband-says-former-mp-1-8800339 Universal Credit is impacting on bereaved and disabled people in Northampton, according to a former MP, and there's a lack of training for advice services to ...

Donations urgently needed as users of Northampton food bank triple ...Northampton Chronicle and Echo6 Feb 2019https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/donations-urgently-needed-as-users-of-northampton-food-bank-triple-in-one-year-1-8800243 This stark reality follows the roll-out of Universal Credit launched in Northampton back in November, volunteers say. Anyone applying for any combination of ...

Woodley family's desperation for universal credit after diagnosis of ...Reading Chronicle6 Feb 2019https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/17413220.woodley-familys-desperation-for-universal-credit-after-diagnosis-of-their-babies-terminal-illness/ A DESPERATE family are battling to get child care support after their baby boy was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Phoenix, 10-weeks-old, was diagnosed ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Half of Universal Credit claimants helped by Citizens Advice 'in rent ...Inside Housing6 Feb 2019https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/half-of-universal-credit-claimants-helped-by-citizens-advice-in-rent-arrears-60081 The charity said the same number of claimants are slipping behind on rent as before the wait for the first Universal Credit payment was reduced from six weeks ...

Heartbreaking shoe display lays bare child suicide figuresBig Issue6 Feb 2019https://www.bigissue.com/latest/social-activism/heartbreaking-shoe-display-lays-bare-child-suicide-figures/ Despite changes, Citizens Advice says Universal Credit must continue to be reformed so it works for all claimants and leaves people with enough money to live ...

'Universal Credit has left us struggling to keep a roof over our heads'WalesOnline6 Feb 2019https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/personal-finance/universal-credit-left-struggling-keep-15787959 Jessica, from Blaenau Gwent, is a single mum claiming universal credit who is worried about losing her home, fearing her home will be repossessed by the ...

'People choosing between heating and eating' as use of Aberdeen ...Aberdeen Evening Express6 Feb 2019https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/people-choosing-between-heating-and-eating-as-use-of-aberdeen-foodbanks-rises/ There's more and more people coming in and a lot of it is to do with Universal Credit and the five-week wait. “We're getting new people every single day, ...

Who's who: Islington's rough sleeping chief slams short-term tenanciesIslington Gazette6 Feb 2019https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/who-s-who-sarah-turley-islington-s-street-population-co-ordinator-1-5881783 Islington' Council's new permanent street sleeping chief Sarah Turley speaks to Lucas Cumiskey about austerity, Universal Credit and short term tenancies and ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Half of Universal Credit claimants are struggling to pay housing needsBig Issue6 Feb 2019https://www.bigissue.com/latest/half-of-universal-credit-claimants-are-struggling-to-pay-housing-needs/ Universal Credit claimants are fighting to keep a roof over their heads, according to a damning new report from Citizens Advice. One in two people the charity ...

Universal Credit: 'I've nearly lost my house twice'BBC News6 Feb 2019https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47143748 A mother of three says she has nearly been made homeless twice in two years due to the new Universal Credit benefits system. Lisa Dunnington says the new ...

People on Universal Credit still struggling to pay rentMortgage Introducer6 Feb 2019https://www.mortgageintroducer.com/people-universal-credit-still-struggling-pay-rent/ People claiming Universal Credit are still struggling to pay for the roof over their heads, despite the wait for their first payment being reduced from six weeks to …

Welfare shake-up ‘will double number of children in poverty’The Guardian

Sun 12th May

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/welfare-children-poverty-low-income-families

Flagship welfare reforms will trigger a big increase in families unable to make ends meet, new analysis reveals.

The number of children living in families that have a monthly deficit will double in some areas, because of the combined impact of universal credit, a two-child limit on some welfare payments and the benefits cap.

Universal credit: People on tax credits 'to face issues'BBC News5 Feb 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-47138818

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

People on tax credits are set to face "significant issues" when they are moved to universal credit, a Holyrood committee has said. The group warned that there ...

Universal Credit officially rated WORSE than all other benefits as ...Birmingham Live5 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-officially-rated-worse-15786160 Universal Credit was brought in to simplify the welfare system and replace six other benefits - but it's caused problems for many of the people it was designed to ...

Man 'suicidal and sleeping on streets' after Universal Credit payments ...Mirror.co.uk5 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-suicidal-sleeping-streets-after-13954498 A man has been left to sleep on the streets after his Universal Credit payments were cut. Shaun Precious, 44, had been receiving benefits since 2017 and has ...

Universal Credit: The 10 things you will only know if you're living on ...Essex Live4 Feb 2019https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/universal-credit-10-things-you-2504426 Your eligibility for Universal Credit depends on where you live, whether you live with a partner, if you have children, your age and whether you are in full-time ...

Universal Credit bosses snub call to protect single parents and ill Brits ...The Sun10 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8396869/universal-credit-benefits-sanctions-dwp-amber-rudd/ AMBER Rudd's officials have today refused to ease the "cruel" burden of benefit sanctions on Universal Credit claimants. The Government rejected a plea from ...

Chester: Helping the homeless at a forfutures night shelterThe Chester Standard10 Feb 2019https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/17422198.chester-helping-the-homeless-at-a-forfutures-night-shelter/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

... rock bottom, not helped by inflexible private landlords and the terribly-implemented Universal Credit benefits system that has left many considerably worse off.

'Digital Exclusion': 470000 Need Help To Apply For Online-Only ...HuffPost UK11 Feb 2019https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/universal-credit-online-only-help-apply_uk_5c617f69e4b0eec79b262a34 New data has shown almost half a million people needed help to apply for the government's flagship Universal Credit benefit online, HuffPost UK can reveal.

Universal credit: Ministers reject calls to ease 'pointlessly cruel' benefit ...The Independent11 Feb 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-credit-benefit-sanctions-dwp-work-pensions-committee-amber-rudd-a8773451.html Ministers have rejected calls from MPs to ease benefit sanctions on vulnerable universal credit claimants, prompting concerns that they are failing to act on ...

Amber Rudd links universal credit to rise in food bank useBBC News11 Feb 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47203389 Amber Rudd says the increased use of food banks is partly down to problems in rolling out universal credit. The work and pensions secretary said she was ...

Food bank use has increased due to universal credit roll-out, admits ...Stourbridge News11 Feb 2019http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/national/17424902.food-bank-use-has-increased-due-to-universal-credit-roll-out-admits-amber-rudd/ Food bank use has increased due to the universal credit roll-out, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has admitted. Ms Rudd said it was “absolutely ...

I was street homeless for 14 months. This is what it's like sleeping ...inews.co.uk11 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/opinion/homeless-cold-what-to-do/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

As I'm not drug or alcohol-dependent my universal credit just about lasts me for a month, but I know lots of guys on the street that either resort to begging or theft ...

Minor tweaks can't address the deep, inhuman flaws of universal creditThe Guardian12 Feb 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/12/universal-credit-channel-4-documentary-dwp He can't afford a phone so he calls universal credit from the phone box in the street, sobbing as he's put on hold, listening to the endless, infuriating loop of ...

'I'm forced to catch rabbits just to eat': Reality of life on Universal CreditMirror.co.uk12 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/im-forced-catch-rabbits-just-13989781 The harsh realities of living on universal credit is to be exposed on TV for the first time as residents of Hartlepool dismiss the system as “absolute chaos”.

Impact of Universal Credit and the 'bedroom tax' on Doncaster ...Doncaster Today12 Feb 2019https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/impact-of-universal-credit-and-the-bedroom-tax-on-doncaster-residents-revealed-1-9591373 The impact on Doncaster residents due to benefit reforms such as Universal Credit and the bedroom tax has been revealed. In a report seen by cabinet ...

The effect 'bedroom tax' and Universal Credit is having on people in ...ChronicleLive12 Feb 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-bedroom-tax-homelessness-15821815 "The problem is we're getting 13 or 14 new Universal Credit cases a week and if you're looking at £650 or £700 of rent arrears, it is a lot to manage." ...

Caller On Universal Credit Who Survived A Week On A Packet Of ...LBC12 Feb 2019https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/ian-payne/universal-credit-survived-week-on-biscuits/ A caller who survived on a packet of biscuits for a week says he often has to choose between heating or food. Andrew revealed that issues with the roll-out of ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

For Months We've Been Telling Amber Rudd Universal Credit Is ...HuffPost UK12 Feb 2019https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/universal-credit-foodbanks_uk_5c62e332e4b0a8731aea52c5?utm_hp_ref=uk-politics For four years in Hastings, my hometown, the need for our foodbank was fairly static. Then Universal Credit arrived here, and the number of referrals began to ...

Doctor Tells James O'Brien: Patients Can't Afford Trip To Food BanksLBC12 Feb 2019https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/doctor-people-cant-afford-trip-to-food-bank/ Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said yesterday that the increased use of food banks is partly down to problems in rolling out universal credit.

Universal Credit 'forced' man to go to Worcester foodbankWorcester News13 Feb 2019https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/17431997.universal-credit-forced-man-to-go-to-worcester-foodbank/ AN UNEMPLOYED warehouse manager said he had to go 'cap in hand' to the city's foodbank because of delays receiving Universal Credit. Worcester ...

People waiting for Universal Credit struggle to pay for housing, says ...Coast FM News (press release)13 Feb 2019https://www.coastfm.co.uk/news/local/QQB59l/people-waiting-for-universal-credit-struggle-to-pay-for-housing-says-cab People claiming Universal Credit are still struggling to pay for the roof over their heads, despite the wait for their first payment being reduced from six weeks to ...

I quit my job to care for my dying mum – but Universal Credit five-week ...The Sun13 Feb 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8403046/universal-credit-five-week-wait-ruined-my-life/ But while Daniel, 40, wouldn't swap that precious time with his mum for anything, it pushed him into a spiral of debt, relying on Universal Credit - something he's ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit: Shocking rise in rent arrears for benefit claimants in ...ChronicleLive13 Feb 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-rent-arrears-tyneside-15822848 Rent arrears for council tenants on Universal Credit have jumped to more than £800,000 since they were moved on to the controversial benefit. According to ...

Greenwich council tax to rise due to knife crime and Universal CreditNews Shopper13 Feb 2019https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17429871.greenwich-council-tax-to-rise-due-to-knife-crime-and-universal-credit/ Council tax in Greenwich is to be hiked up as the authority looks to establish a new anti-knife crime unit, deal with the impact of Universal Credit and balance ...

Jayne Dowle: Universal Credit – A policy starved of compassion and ...Yorkshire Post13 Feb 2019https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/jayne-dowle-universal-credit-a-policy-starved-of-compassion-and-good-sense-as-food-bank-link-confirmed-1-9593984 Apart from forcing thousands of people literally on to the breadline, one of the great criticisms of Universal Credit is that it underlines that chasm between ...

Ashfield Council evicts one house a week as families struggle to pay rentMansfield Chad13 Feb 2019https://www.chad.co.uk/news/ashfield-council-evicts-one-house-a-week-as-families-struggle-to-pay-rent-1-9593512 The authority said that Universal Credit has proved a real challenge for both ... tenants understand the implications of universal credit and have a dedicated team ...

Swindon council expects £620k 'bad debt' in unpaid rentThis Is Wiltshire13 Feb 2019https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/17432138.swindon-council-expects-620k-bad-debt-in-unpaid-rent/ Senior councillors in Euclid Street are continuing to lobby the town's two Conservative MPs about Universal Credit. Labour councillor Emma Bushell, who ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Dad-of-two finally wins appeal against fit-for-work ruling – seven ...inews.co.uk13 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/man-fit-for-work-appeal-after-death-seven-months/ The family of a grandfather who was embroiled in a “cruel and lengthy” benefits battle have won his case – seven months after he died. Jeff Hayward, from ...

Charity chief blames austerity for alarming rise in mental health issues ...Denbighshire Free Press13 Feb 2019https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17430369.charity-chief-blames-austerity-for-alarming-rise-in-mental-health-issues-in-north-wales/ “The introduction of Universal Credit seems to have been another factor. I spoke with someone who runs a local food bank and they said that there were a lot of ...

Rent debt triples in East Devon since Universal CreditRadio Exe (press release)14 Feb 2019http://www.radioexe.co.uk/news-and-features/local-news/rent-debt-triples-in-east-devon-since-universal-credit/ East Devon District Council's cabinet were told that the council had 191 tenants claiming Universal Credit, with a combined rent debt of £52,621.37, as of ...

Universal Credit: Don't let Theresa May take £5500 a year from ...inews.co.uk14 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/opinion/universal-credit-pensions-44000-labour/ Under the new rules, because one partner will still be of working age when the other reaches retirement age, they will be forced to claim Universal Credit instead ...

Rise in Wiltshire families being evicted from council homesSpire FM14 Feb 2019https://www.spirefm.co.uk/news/local-news/2806117/rise-in-wiltshire-families-being-evicted-from-council-homes/ "The evidence indicates that arrears increase significantly for households on Universal Credit. The Government was right to have announced measures in the ...

JRF report criticises cuts in benefitsChurch Times

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

14 Feb 2019https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/15-february/news/uk/jrf-report-criticises-cuts-in-benefits On Monday, the Work and Pensions Secretary, Amber Rudd, said that “challenges” with the initial rollout of Universal Credit had driven claimants to foodbanks.

Universal Credit concerns meeting in OxfordThe Oxford Times15 Feb 2019https://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/17437827.universal-credit-concerns-meeting-in-oxford/ RESIDENTS are invited to share their worries and complaints about Universal Credit at a meeting in Oxford next week. Oxford city councillors Paul Harris and ...

Universal credit blamed for rising number of evictions by David ...Kent Online15 Feb 2019https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/universal-credit-to-blame-for-rising-evictions-198929/ Bosses at a letting agency have hit out at universal credit after multiple tenants were left homeless. David Andrews Letting Agency in Duncan Road, Gillingham, ...

Use of foodbanks on the rise in GallowayThe Galloway Gazette15 Feb 2019https://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/news/use-of-foodbanks-on-the-rise-in-galloway-1-4873738 ... take responsibility for the Conservative Government's failed roll-out of Universal Credit which is causing a rise in foodbank use across South West Scotland.”.

Cash-strapped son's anger over ten-week delay to beloved mum's ...Rotherham Advertiser15 Feb 2019https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,cashstrapped-sons-anger-over-tenweek-delay-to-beloved-mums-funeral_30756.htm Mr Sanderson (49), of Thorpe Hesley, said he had no way of paying for his mother's funeral and had only received £12 in Universal Credit this month after ...

Lincoln couple steal food from Iceland to feed their baby after going ...LincolnshireLive15 Feb 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/lincoln-news/lincoln-couple-steal-food-iceland-2545161 People put on to Universal Credit have to wait five weeks for the new benefit to be administered. It reduces six benefits into one catch-call payment, but the ...

Universal Credit boss branded as 'insulting'Fermanagh Herald16 Feb 2019https://fermanaghherald.com/2019/02/universal-credit-boss-branded-as-insulting/ A STATEMENT by the man in charge of Universal Credit in the North saying working people didn't get a pay increase when they had more children so those on ...

Concern over 'hidden' Universal Credit council costsBBC News17 Feb 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47254382 Controversial changes to the benefits system are leaving Welsh councils with hidden costs, it has been claimed. Universal credit aims to make claiming simpler ...

On the breadline - cash-strapped teens make heartbreaking plea and ...Birmingham Live17 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/breadline-cash-strapped-teens-make-15824442 A struggling Universal Credit teen feared his pregnant girlfriend would be forced to go hungry for weeks after running out of cash. Cash-strapped Jaedyn ...

Record levels of tenants being evicted by landlords in CoventryCoventry Live17 Feb 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/record-levels-tenants-being-evicted-15836078 A recent BBC Panorama investigation revealed that council tenants on universal credit have on average more than double the rent arrears of those still on ...

Corrie star attacks Universal Credit after revealing he blew £1m and ...Birmingham Live18 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/corrie-star-attacks-universal-credit-15850453 A former Coronation Street actor who ended up on benefits has launched an attack on Universal Credit. Bruce Jones, who played layabout Les Battersby in the ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit needs reform to avoid evictionsSimple Landlords Insurance (press release) (blog)18 Feb 2019https://www.simplelandlordsinsurance.com/landlord-hub/news/universal-credit-needs-reform The RLA's most recent research shows that of those landlords with tenants on Universal Credit, 61 per cent experienced them going into rent arrears in the past ...

'I'm only eating one meal a day': How Universal Credit is 'failing' self ...inews.co.uk19 Feb 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/universal-credit-dwp-fail-self-employed-claimants-benefits-minimum-income-floor/ Universal Credit is going to “fail” self-employed people and discourage them from wanting to work, it has been warned. Claimants are already struggling to make ...

South Tyneside sees 200% rise in crisis loan applications since ...Shields Gazette19 Feb 2019https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/south-tyneside-sees-200-rise-in-crisis-loan-applications-since-universal-credit-introduced-in-borough-1-9604876 Applications for 'crisis loans' to help struggling families in South Tyneside have jumped by 200% since the introduction of the new Universal Credit benefits ...

Universal Credit 'doesn't cover essential living costs' for four people in ...Mirror.co.uk19 Feb 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/universal-credit-doesnt-cover-essential-14022020 Exclusive research for Mirror Money reveals 80% of people on Universal Credit say it doesn't cover their essential living costs, 72% have had to borrow money ...

Universal Credit carousel of cuts is driving people to food banksSNP (press release)19 Feb 2019https://www.snp.org/universal-credit-carousel-of-cuts-is-driving-people-to-food-banks/ During that time, we have done everything we could to show UK Government the harsh realities of Universal Credit – even begging Ministers to come and listen ...

Astonishing figures uncover worrying truth for people living on ...LincolnshireLive20 Feb 2019https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/astonishing-figures-uncover-worrying-truth-2565652 Worrying research shows that many people living on Universal Credit are struggling to make ends meet. In a survey conducted by Mirror Money 80 percent of ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Food banks turning to charity themselves over impact of Universal CreditExaminerLive21 Feb 2019https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/food-banks-turning-charity-themselves-15861519 Food banks are turning to charity themselves over the impact of Universal Credit. A charity has reported a “dramatic” increase in the number of food banks ...

Man steals food to eat after Universal Credit payment haltedLincolnshireLive21 Feb 2019https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/lincoln-news/man-steals-food-eat-after-2569242 Flamino, of Monks Road, Lincoln, said: "I'd been sent a letter asking me to attend a benefits assessment for Universal Credit but I missed the appointment ...

Devastating impact of universal creditIslington Tribune newspaper website22 Feb 2019http://islingtontribune.com/article/devastating-impact-of-universal-credit In Islington, the roll-out of universal credit will eventually see 22,000 households affected. It is estimated that almost 10,000 households in the borough will be ...

Warning over impact of Universal Credit on early years provider fundingNursery World22 Feb 2019https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1166965/warning-over-impact-of-universal-credit-on-early-years-provider-funding Self-employed childcare providers could miss out on Universal Credit as a result of receiving early years entitlement funding, the Early Years Alliance has ...

Universal Credit is affecting everyone - the heartbreaking horror storiesPlymouth Live23 Feb 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/universal-credit-affecting-everyone-heartbreaking-2575597 No matter where you are in the country, you are guaranteed to find masses of people who have had problems with Universal Credit. Last week, Plymouth Live ...

Mum says Universal Credit staff told her to leave daughter home alonePlymouth Live25 Feb 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/mum-says-universal-credit-staff-2581132 Alana Tait, 32, says Universal Credit staff forced her to accept a job as a nursing assistant when she was moved to the benefit in September and had to wait five ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit could cause 'civil unrest' fears volunteer working with ...Leicestershire Live25 Feb 2019https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/universal-credit-could-cause-civil-2582170 The impact of Universal Credit could lead to civil unrest, fears a volunteer who works with claimants. Ros Burch, who volunteers and works with a number of city ...

Universal Credit will make life worse for almost 11 MILLION people ...Birmingham Live26 Feb 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-making-life-worse-15888622 Universal Credit has been criticised for driving people into poverty, in a damning report that's just been released. Almost 11 million people will be worse off when ...

The impact Universal Credit - and delayed DWP payments - is having ...ChronicleLive27 Feb 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-payment-loan-eligibility-15893781 Universal Credit replaces six existing benefits - Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, ...

'Universal credit is a nightmare – the stress is overwhelming'The Guardian1 Mar 2019https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/mar/02/universal-credit-is-a-nightmare-the-stress-is-overwhelming I'm on universal credit and it's an absolute nightmare. I applied for it in November when my contract admin role suddenly stopped. Although I had no savings, the ...

Dad slams Universal Credit after being told he could lose 'hundreds of ...Mirror.co.uk1 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dad-slams-universal-credit-after-14071105 A dad has slammed the Universal Credit system calling it an 'entrapment' after he discovered he could lose hundreds of pounds in the future if he decides to ...

Hundreds of computers removed from Jobcentres as online-only ...The Independent2 Mar 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/computers-jobcentre-universal-credit-internet-access-benefits-online-jobseekers-a8803971.html

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Claimants need to log on to a computer to apply for Universal Credit, the new state benefit that replaces a raft of benefits including income support and ...

"You bring the 8p bread home": What's it like to live on Universal ...Stray FM3 Mar 2019https://www.strayfm.com/news/local-news/2806463/you-bring-the-8p-bread-home-whats-it-like-to-live-on-universal-credit-in-craven/ The new all encompassing benefits system was rolled out in Harrogate and Craven in 2016. It was one of 10 areas to pilot the new scheme. Universal Credit ...

Universal credit 'ruining lives' and making mental health patients more ...The Independent3 Mar 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/universal-credit-mental-health-anxiety-depression-benefit-sanctions-a8805411.html The government's universal credit benefits system is “ruining lives” with burdensome red tape for people with mental health issues, a report has warned.

"It was devastating": This Skipton woman says Universal Credit made ...Stray FM4 Mar 2019https://www.strayfm.com/news/local-news/2814690/it-was-devastating-this-skipton-woman-says-universal-credit-made-her-homeless/ Stray FM's investigation into the impact of Universal Credit continues; It was introduced in Harrogate and Craven in 2016 as part of a pilot; Stray FM has visited ...

Dad told he will lose hundreds of pounds in Universal Credit payments ...WalesOnline4 Mar 2019https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/dad-told-lose-hundreds-pounds-15909387 But he was left shocked when he was told that if they applied to come off housing benefits, they would be automatically withdrawn from all Universal Credit ...

Two thirds of Brits on Universal Credit can't use official online systems ...The Sun5 Mar 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8565255/two-thirds-of-brits-on-universal-credit-cant-use-official-online-systems-to-prove-who-they-are/ TWO THIRDS of Brits applying for Universal Credit can't prove who they are online and are locked out of their benefits. A damning report from the National Audit ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit blamed for number of people in crisis housing in one ...Daily Post North Wales5 Mar 2019https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/universal-credit-blamed-number-people-15925079 Controversial benefit Universal Credit has been blamed for a 125% increase in the number of people being put in emergency accommodation by one North ...

Universal Credit causing hardship across Manchester, according to ...About Manchester (press release) (blog)5 Mar 2019http://aboutmanchester.co.uk/universal-credit-causing-hardship-across-manchester-according-to-national-debt-help-provider/ Manchester residents have voiced their concerns about how Universal Credit has caused them even more financial hardship, as part of new research by ...

Universal Credit: Woman had 'suicidal thoughts' after joining benefit ...Mirror.co.uk6 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/universal-credit-woman-suicidal-thoughts-14094591 A vulnerable woman was left with "suicidal thoughts" after joining Universal Credit with no transition payments, MPs heard today. A charity worker called for ...

Why Universal Credit could put domestic violence victims at greater ...Leicestershire Live6 Mar 2019https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/universal-credit-could-put-domestic-2614465 Two women are killed by their partner or former partner every week, and around two million adults suffer from domestic violence and abuse every year. Anyone ...

NHS bosses: Benefit stress driving mental health care demandThe Guardian7 Mar 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/08/nhs-bosses-benefit-stress-driving-mental-health-care-demand The benefits system shake-up and introduction of universal credit have damaged people's mental health so that they have sought NHS help, a new report ...

Universal Credit claimants blocked from benefits by massive failure in ...Birmingham Live7 Mar 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-claimants-blocked-benefits-15940230

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

A new investigation by The National Audit Office (NAO) found two thirds of people had been locked out of Universal Credit claims because of ID issues.

Universal Credit: Mum left with £8.98 wins permission to fight DWP in ...Mirror.co.uk7 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/universal-credit-mum-left-898-14100705 A mum who said Universal Credit would have left her with £8.98 for a month has won the right to challenge the benefit in the High Court. Charmaine Parkin, 34 ...

'Benefit changes adding to mental health problems'BBC News8 Mar 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47485589 Mental health leaders in England cited the rollout of universal credit, in particular, as a key factor. They also said money problems and job worries alongside ...

DWP benefit freeze has hurled 200000 into poverty reveals damning ...Mirror.co.uk8 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-benefit-freeze-hurled-200000-14105016 ... and ensuring working people can earn more before their Universal Credit payment is reduced and providing essential support to disabled people and carers." ...

DWP freezes desperate mum's Universal Credit after daughters ...Mirror.co.uk8 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dwp-freezes-desperate-mums-universal-14104184 Jana Khan, 39, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, has been left devastated after her ex-husband took her children to Tobago allegedly without her ...

Huge rise in Stratford Foodbank use blamed on universal creditStratford upon Avon Herald8 Mar 2019http://www.stratford-herald.com/96571-huge-rise-stratford-foodbank-use-blamed-universal-credit.html Foodbank manager Marion Homer has blamed government mistakes with the rollout of universal credit for the increasing demand and says it is clear that the ...

More than 8000 Aberdeen residents in rent arrearsAberdeen Evening Express8 Mar 2019https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/thousands-in-rent-arrears/ ... said the main reasons for the increasing trend are the continuing challenging economic climate, welfare reform and the introduction of Universal Credit.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

This is how many people have had their Universal Credit stopped in ...Cambridgeshire Live8 Mar 2019https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/universal-credit-cuts-figures-cambridgeshire-15943354 More than a thousand people who get Universal Credit in Cambridgeshire have seen their payments stopped or cut since the scheme started. Warnings from ...

Why people on Universal Credit are being blocked from claimingBristol Live8 Mar 2019https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/two-thirds-universal-credit-claimants-2624312 An investigation by The National Audit Office (NAO) revealed people were being locked out of Universal Credit claims because they were unable to prove their ...

Archbishop of York: 'The need for foodbanks in the UK is a scandal'St Helens Star10 Mar 2019https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/17489087.archbishop-of-york-the-need-for-foodbanks-in-the-uk-is-a-scandal/ THE Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu says the need for foodbanks in the UK is a “scandal” and the current universal credit system is “biased against the ...

Help needed to provide food for valley familiesSouth Wales Guardian10 Mar 2019https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/17489883.help-needed-to-provide-food-for-valley-families/ ... facility since the introduction of Universal Credit in December. “We have seen a big increase in people using the foodbank since December,” said Karen Kirby.

The awful number of Universal Credit sanctions forcing Hull families ...Hull Daily Mail10 Mar 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/universal-credit-forcing-families-poverty-2592417 Shocking new figures have revealed the number of people in Hull who have had their Universal Credit payments stopped or cut since the scheme was rolled out ...

Man, 29, says he got Universal Credit sanctions for not going to an ...inews.co.uk20 Mar 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/real-life/man-29-living-off-50-a-week-was-sanctioned-under-universal-credit-for-failing-to-attend-an-english-class-even-though-he-has-a-gcse-in-the-subject/ When Allan Galyer heard about a scheme to help people set up their own businesses, he jumped at the chance. In and out of work since leaving college at the ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

The Cornwall families left hungry thanks to Universal Credit and who ...Cornwall Live20 Mar 2019https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-town-sees-huge-increase-2661176 A charity which helps the homeless and cash-strapped families in Newquay has reported a 50% increase in use this winter – and it's being blamed on Universal ...

'Crisis' as city families in need see funding continually cutMalvern Gazette20 Mar 2019https://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/17511901.crisis-as-city-families-in-need-see-funding-continually-cut/ “With the roll out of Universal Credit, the problem is only going to get worse, yet the Conservatives both nationally and locally have shown total contempt for the ...

Letters: 'Working three jobs and using foodbanks - the system is so ...The Northern Echo20 Mar 2019https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/letters/17511914.letters-working-three-jobs-and-using-foodbanks-the-system-is-so-unfair/ Why is it that people who are on universal credit feel intimidated and forced into debt? I am sure anybody working who had to wait six to 12 weeks for their pay ...

Mum left with just £8.98 to feed her children for a MONTH can take ...Gloucestershire Live11 Mar 2019https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/mum-left-just-898-feed-2625894 A mother left with just £8.98 to live on for a MONTH has been told she can take her fight against the Universal Credit system to the High Court. Charmaine Parkin ...

DWP Slammed For 'Heartless' Denial Of Easier Benefits Claims For ...HuffPost UK11 Mar 2019https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/universal-credit-terminally-ill_uk_5c865ea3e4b0ed0a0015889d Ministers have been described as “heartless” after refusing to make it easier for terminally ill people to access vital benefits through Universal Credit. Frank Field ...

Universal Credit 'worsens mental health problems', says Scottish ...HeraldScotland11 Mar 2019https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17493067.universal-credit-worsens-mental-health-problems-says-scottish-mental-health-charity-as-it-calls-for-halt-to-roll-out/ The report warns Universal Credit is causing hardship and emotional distress for people with mental health problems. It also says work coaches who can ask for ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Low-paid work is no longer a route to better pay – it is a trapThe Guardian11 Mar 2019https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/11/universal-credit-spring-statement-benefits We of course need to get the rollout of universal credit right. But doing so will not address the underlying challenges created by low pay, high housing costs and ...

Universal Credit has created “emotional distress” for people with ...The Scotsman12 Mar 2019https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/universal-credit-has-created-emotional-distress-for-people-with-mental-health-conditions-1-4887807 The roll out of Universal Credit should be halted until the hardship and emotional distress it is causing to people with mental health problems are tackled, ...

Vulnerable made ill by Universal Credit as mental health charity slams ...Scottish Daily Record12 Mar 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/vulnerable-made-ill-universal-credit-14126448 The Scottish Association for Mental Health demanded no one else should be moved to Universal Credit, the new online benefit replacing six old payments, until ...

Shocking Largs Foodbank figures sparks call for government rethinkLargs and Millport Weekly News12 Mar 2019https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/17477606.shocking-largs-foodbank-figures-sparks-call-for-government-rethink/ ALARMING figures released by Largs Foodbank have prompted a local MSP to demand a stop to Universal Credit. We reported the increasing problems for ...

This is what you get to live off in a foodbank parcelCoventry Live12 Mar 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-foodbank-trussel-trust-benefits-15961429 "That's when we started to see people turning up and saying the reason they were here was Universal Credit, and numbers have been increasingly significantly ...

Housing association asks tenants for extra rent to avoid Universal ...Inside Housing13 Mar 2019https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/housing-association-asks-tenants-for-extra-rent-to-avoid-universal-credit-issue-60554 A housing association in the North West has asked its tenants to pay extra rent, to avoid slipping into arrears next year because of a Universal Credit technicality.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit: 'My family is hungry and trapped in a spiral of debt'Mirror.co.uk13 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-my-family-hungry-14130834 "We were living with my husband's mum, dad and two brothers so they took into account every else's wages, which meant we got nothing from Universal Credit.

Universal Credit leaves people relying on food parcels for FOUR weeksExaminerLive13 Mar 2019https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/universal-credit-leaves-people-relying-15965921 Hard up people struggling to make ends meet on the Government's controversial Universal Credit scheme have been flooding to a Huddersfield food bank.

Evicted family forced to live in van after refusing to be parted from two ...Scottish Daily Record13 Mar 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/evicted-family-forced-live-van-14130618 Robbie says he fell into arrears after losing his job with a car recovery firm and experiencing problems with universal credit. The Williams family were evicted ...

Demand on Moray Foodbank the largest it has ever beenThe Northern Scot13 Mar 2019https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/the-demand-on-moray-foodbank-has-increased-due-to-the-universal-credit-system-175693/ CHANGES to Universal Credit have contributed to make the demand on Moray Foodbank the largest it has ever been. That's according to Mairi McCallum, ...

Food larder appealing for more suppliesSleaford Today13 Mar 2019https://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/business/food-larder-appealing-for-more-supplies-1-8846710 Sleaford's food bank is blaming the introduction of Universal Credit on a surge in demand for its services. Rod Munro from Sleaford Community Larder says the ...

Islington Universal Credit claimants twice as likely to be in rent arrears ...Islington Gazette14 Mar 2019https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/health/islington-universal-credit-claimants-twice-as-likely-to-be-in-rent-arrears-than-those-on-housing-benefit-1-5936766

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit claimants in Islington are nearly twice as likely to be in arrears as those on Housing Benefit – and those in debt owe three times more under the ...

'We're homeless because of Universal Credit' - Dad reveals he and ...Grimsby Live14 Mar 2019https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/universal-credit-sanction-homeless-evicted-2637569 A single father has described his heartbreak and frustration after he and his two young children were evicted from their home on Christmas Eve, after falling ...

Universal Credit blunder threatens young mum's efforts to study to ...LeaderLive14 Mar 2019https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/17500788.universal-credit-blunder-threatens-young-mums-efforts-to-study-to-provide-a-better-life-for-her-and-her-son/ A YOUNG mum is facing having to abandon her plans to make a better life for herself and her four-year-old son thanks to a Universal Credit blunder. Julianne ...

'Universal Credit rules meant I couldn't pay for my son's dinner'Mirror.co.uk15 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/universal-credit-rules-meant-couldnt-14125217 "But when I went in to speak to them they told me job seeker's allowance no longer existed and that I was being moved onto Universal Credit. This seemed fine ...

Banned from the Jobcentre - after 'losing the plot' over Universal CreditChronicleLive15 Mar 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/banned-jobcentre-after-losing-plot-15938441 A jobseeker was banned from his own JobCentre after he "lost the plot" trying to sort his Universal Credit nightmare out. Daniel Taylor, who lives in a hostel, ...

Man devastated after being forced into debt to look after sick dad and ...Cumnock Chronicle15 Mar 2019https://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/17504463.man-devastated-after-being-forced-into-debt-to-look-after-sick-dad-and-brands-universal-credit-scheme-a-total-disgrace/ Now he is calling for Universal credit to come an end to stop other people being ... Although Gary isn't using Universal Credit anymore he says he still has a long ...

Stortford food bank struggles to deal with demand as benefit delays ...Bishop's Stortford Independent15 Mar 2019https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/mp-appeals-to-amber-rudd-to-cut-delays-as-desperate-families-turn-to-stortford-food-bank-9064085/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

"Universal Credit, a new scheme which replaces six 'legacy benefits', was introduced in East Herts in October 2018. From this point, anyone of working age ...

Foodbanks: Visit to Glasgow shows MP the 'horrors of destitution'Evening Times15 Mar 2019https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17505845.foodbanks-visit-to-glasgow-shows-mp-the-horrors-of-destitution/ This growth comes in advance of the full roll out of Universal Credit in the area, with volunteers needing to raise around £1,000 a week to keep the foodbanks ...

Epileptic mum penniless after being stripped of Universal Credit for ...Liverpool Echo16 Mar 2019https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/epileptic-mum-penniless-after-being-15983370 Sian said: "When I went in to speak to them they told me job seeker's allowance no longer existed and that I was being moved onto Universal Credit.

Charities 'overwhelmed' by food bank users amid Universal Credit rolloutChannel 4 News17 Mar 2019https://www.channel4.com/news/charities-overwhelmed-by-food-bank-users-amid-universal-credit-rollout Two MPs who have been travelling the country to find out the impact of austerity have made their final stop in Glasgow. There – as at previous cities they have ...

Five South London boroughs amongst the worst hit by Universal ...London News Online (blog)17 Mar 2019https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/five-south-london-boroughs-amongst-the-worst-hit-by-universal-credit-roll-out-according-to-research-by-debt-management-company/ The foodbank in Lewisham has seen a 20 per cent rise in use over the past year — and the roll-out of universal credit is partly responsible, says its management.

Women doing sex work to survive due to roll-out of universal credit ...The Independent18 Mar 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women-survival-sex-work-universal-credit-work-and-pensions-committee-a8828831.html Women may be turning to sex work as a means to survive due to changes to welfare policy and the rollout of universal credit, MPs have warned. The Work and ...

'I'm 57 and my parents have to feed me': the universal credit digital ...The Guardian

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

18 Mar 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/18/57-parents-feed-me-universal-credit-digital-obstacle-course Yet even Borner struggled to complete his online application for universal credit when he was moved on to the government's flagship benefit scheme last year.

Universal Credit's unfair 5-week wait for cash means single mum may ...The Sun18 Mar 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8627323/universal-credits-unfair-5-week-wait-for-cash-means-single-mum-may-lose-her-home/ After being forced to wait five weeks for her first Universal Credit payment, she has fallen behind on her rent and fears she is could be thrown out of her house.

Universal credit takes its toll on new parents - but baby banks are ...East Anglian Daily Times18 Mar 2019https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/baby-banks-help-families-in-bury-st-edmunds-sudbury-and-ipswich-1-5942908 “I have been supported three times by Klaire and the baby bank, including her taking me to get breakfast after I lost my job and the new Universal Credit time ...

Children missing out on 'vital emergency support' due to cutsLocalGov18 Mar 2019https://www.localgov.co.uk/Children-missing-out-on-vital-emergency-support-due-to-cuts/47067 Nick Roseveare, chief executive at The Children's Society, said many families were struggling against a backdrop of rising in-work poverty, Universal Credit ...

'I feel like a failure': Waspi woman can't pay for daughter's wedding ...inews.co.uk18 Mar 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/pension-credit-reform-universal-credit-dwp-waspi-women-benefits-pensioners/ But if the couple end up claiming Universal Credit, she will have to look for work. Alan, a bricklayer, says he is angry at the Pension Credit reform but also at the ...

Women struggling to survive due to the Universal Credit system are ...ChronicleLive19 Mar 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-dwp-prostitution-conservatives-15995149 The committee has identified aspects of Universal Credit that may lead to difficulties in claimants meeting survival needs, including delays to payments and ...

MPs to investigate Universal Credit link to prostitutionWirral Globe

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

19 Mar 2019https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/17510785.mps-to-investigate-universal-credit-link-to-prostitution/ The committee has identified aspects of Universal Credit that may lead to difficulties in claimants meeting survival needs, including delays to payments and ...

Shocking new Fife rent arrears figures branded “horrific”The Courier19 Mar 2019https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/851235/shocking-new-fife-rent-arrears-figures-branded-horrific/ The level of rent arrears in Fife among Universal Credit claimants has almost doubled in nine months as around 480 tenants a month are shifted onto the benefit ...

Universal credit: More than half of claimants have money deducted ...The Independent21 Mar 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-credit-claimants-money-deducted-department-for-work-and-pensions-over-half-a8832766.html Figures released in response to a parliamentary written question on Wednesday showed that 53 per cent of universal credit claimants had some of their benefits ...

Universal Credit is damaging mental health says David DrewStroud News and Journal22 Mar 2019https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/17522393.universal-credit-is-damaging-mental-health-says-david-drew/ This week I met with Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS), one of the charities offering vital mental health support here. GCS explained it is facing rising ...

Anger as charity Changing Lives warns Universal Credit is forcing ...ChronicleLive23 Mar 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-changing-lives-prostitution-16014830 Claims that women are being forced into prostitution because of Universal Credit have prompted fresh calls for changes to the controversial benefit reforms.

Universal Credit leaves people broken and in crisis: My Wigan Pier StoryMirror.co.uk23 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/universal-credit-leaves-people-broken-14003612 Universal Credit is problematic. If you're someone who's leading a chaotic life and you've suddenly got a month's money it can be hard to manage. Many people ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

The TRUTH about Universal Credit - from DWP Jobcentre staffBirmingham Live24 Mar 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/truth-universal-credit-dwp-jobcentre-16020487 Universal Credit doesn't have the best reputation and to some is considered something of a swear word. If you're on the benefits system or know someone who ...

Universal credit forces skint mums to turn to 'baby banks' for nappies ...The Sun24 Mar 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8710959/universal-credit-forces-skint-mums-to-turn-to-baby-banks-for-nappies-childrens-food-and-prams/ That's why The Sun is calling for the wait time to be slashed to two weeks as part of our Make Universal Credit Work campaign, to stop parents like Farzana Miah ...

Parents forced to rely on 'baby banks' for children's basics under ...Metro25 Mar 2019https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/25/parents-forced-rely-baby-banks-childrens-basics-universal-credit-9006029/ A rising number of parents on Universal Credit are being forced to turn to baby banks to provide the basic necessities for their children. Desperate mums and ...

I spent a week living on Universal Credit in Essex and this is what I foundEssex Live25 Mar 2019https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/spent-week-living-universal-credit-2681765 It was meant to make life easier, but the introduction of Universal Credit seems to have had the opposite effect on some struggling Essex families. It feels like ...

Claimants warned that Bedroom tax can reduce Universal Credit ...Liverpool Echo25 Mar 2019https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/claimants-warned-bedroom-tax-can-16022120 Universal Credit claimants are being warned part of their benefit could be cut by 25% thanks to the Bedroom Tax. People who live in council or housing ...

Petition to end Universal Credit close to Government recognitionPlymouth Live26 Mar 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/petition-end-universal-credit-close-2685851

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

A petition has been set up to revert Universal Credit back to the old benefit system. Since the change was rolled out 18-months ago, there has been split opinion ...

New mums forced to leave hospital without their babies because of ...Liverpool Echo26 Mar 2019https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pregnant-mums-forced-leave-hospital-16026617 Everton councillor Gerard Woodhouse said he has been shocked by the tales of hardship mothers-to-be are facing as the roll-out of Universal Credit plunges ...

Women turn to 'baby banks' after Tories drive up povertySocialist Worker26 Mar 2019https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/48106/Women+turn+to+baby+banks+after+Tories+drive+up+poverty Founder Hilary Johnston blamed “government cuts” and Universal Credit. Little Village runs three baby banks in London. The number of families referred to it ...

DWP minister admits government has no idea how many food banks ...Mirror.co.uk26 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-minister-admits-government-no-14188254 A DWP spokesperson said in response: “On Universal Credit no one has to wait to be paid as up to 100% advances are available from day one of a claim.

More universal credit claimants could face sanctions as workload of ...The Independent27 Mar 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/universal-credit-dwp-sanctions-benefits-work-coach-staff-doubles-a8842751.html More universal credit claimants could face cuts to their benefits when their caseworkers are handed bigger workloads to reduce costs, politicians and charities ...

The devastating impact of Universal Credit on OldhamManchester Evening News27 Mar 2019https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/devastating-impact-universal-credit-oldham-16032734 The 'devastating impact' of Universal Credit (UC) on Oldham residents has been laid bare in a report which reveals sanctions have forced struggling people into ...

Possible link between Universal Credit rollout and shoplifting spikeThe Northern Echo27 Mar 2019https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17528881.possible-link-between-universal-credit-rollout-and-shoplifting-spike/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

A POSSIBLE link between the rollout of Universal Credit and a rise in shoplifting in County Durham is being probed. According to the latest figures, Bishop ...

Impact of Universal Credit in Oldham is 'devastating'Oldham Chronicle27 Mar 2019http://oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/126923/impact-of-universal-credit-in-oldham-is-devastating Oldham was one of the boroughs that volunteered to be a pilot area for UC in 2013, in the hope that it would simplify the benefits system and help get more ...

Glasgow food banks hand out food parcels every six minutesEvening Times27 Mar 2019https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17531256.glasgow-food-banks-hand-out-food-parcels-every-six-minutes/ Nasreen Ali, of Crookston Community Food Bank, said universal Credit, benefit sanctions and low part part time work is leaving people with not enough to live ...

DWP: Universal Credit claimants could have cash cut by 25% due to ...Teesside Live28 Mar 2019https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/dwp-universal-credit-claimants-could-16042157 Those in council or housing association properties are finding their Universal Credit reduced if they have more rooms than they need - even if there is a lodger ...

Universal Credit claimants get deeper in debt to pay off rent arrears ...Evening Times28 Mar 2019https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17534308.universal-credit-claimants-get-deeper-in-debt-to-pay-off-rent-arrears-caused-by-delays/ It added: “During the past eighteen months, CAB clients' rent arrears issues have predominantly been caused by them moving onto Universal Credit, and ...

Man blames Universal Credit pressures for stealing perfume from BootsEastern Daily Press28 Mar 2019https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/man-in-court-over-theft-of-perfume-and-gift-sets-from-boots-1-5964604 Robert Barley for Hope said: “He is on Universal Credit which is £140 a week. He has found it a difficult step financially since being placed on Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is not improving children's lives, DWP figures showPlymouth Live28 Mar 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/local-news/universal-credit-not-improved-lives-2695096

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit is not improving lives for children, official data from the the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has suggested. The number of children ...

New parents on Universal Credit left 'on brink of homelessness'Plymouth Live29 Mar 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/universal-credit-money-delayed-payments-2700264 A young family fear they're on the brink of losing everything because of Universal Credit. New dad Tim Bates says he's facing financial disaster because welfare ...

'Universal Credit is severely impacting mental health', say authorityThe Star29 Mar 2019https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/universal-credit-is-severely-impacting-mental-health-say-authority-1-9681559 Sheffield's health and wellbeing board have called on the Government to make 'urgent' changes to Universal Credit, saying it is having 'severe impacts on ...

Mum of man who can't walk or talk says DWP is making him prove he's ...Mirror.co.uk29 Mar 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-man-who-cant-walk-14207108 Anya has been told that a decision on whether they will be eligible for Universal Credit will be reached within the next three weeks, but if approved, she has ...

Parents are being pushed into thousands of pounds of debt due to sky ...The Sun29 Mar 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8639026/parents-pushed-into-thousands-pounds-debt-sky-high-childcare-costs/ Universal Credit - Parents in receipt of Universal Credit can claim up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs for children under 17. The Childcare Choices website ...

'Scott can't walk or talk - but they're making him prove he's disabled'Cambridgeshire Live29 Mar 2019https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/scott-cant-walk-talk-theyre-16049307 Anya has been told that a decision on whether they will be eligible for Universal Credit will be reached within the next three weeks, but if approved, she has ...

Food bank's desperate plea as demand for help triplesWakefield Express29 Mar 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/food-bank-s-desperate-plea-as-demand-for-help-triples-1-9680653 The centre reported a rise in demand in November, when Universal Credit began rolling out across the district. The new system, which roles six benefits into one ...

DWP: Teesside landlord says he's 'losing out' when Universal Credit ...Teesside Live30 Mar 2019https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/dwp-teesside-landlord-says-hes-16051537 DWP: Teesside landlord says he's 'losing out' when Universal Credit tenants don't ... The landlord, who has a property management firm, says Universal Credit ...

The heartbreaking reason homeless man, 28, is sleeping rough in ...Birmingham Live30 Mar 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/heartbreaking-reason-homeless-man-28-16046194 A man sleeping rough in a town centre car park has revealed the reasons behind his heartbreaking situation. Tony Lavell, 28, fell on hard times after growing up ...

Worcester mum had to sell sex due to benefit delayDroitwich Advertiser31 Mar 2019https://www.droitwichadvertiser.co.uk/news/worcester_news/17541146.worcester-mum-had-to-sell-sex-due-to-benefit-delay/ The woman, who lives in St John's, Worcester, said she became a prostitute as a result of Universal Credit, which was rolled-out in the city last year.

Opinion: What kind of society forces a woman into prostitution?Worcester News02 Apr 2019https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/17543168.opinion-what-kind-of-society-forces-a-woman-into-prostitution/ In a heart breaking story today we learn about a mum who was so desperate and scared after she didn't receive her universal credit, that she felt she had no ...

Universal Credit increasing debt for Solihull social housing tenantsSolihull Observer02 Apr 2019https://solihullobserver.co.uk/news/universal-credit-has-significant-impact-on-solihull-social-housing-tenants-chiefs-say/ THE SWITCH to Universal Credit benefit payments has had a 'significant impact' on Solihull social housing tenants falling into rent arrears, housing chiefs say.

Food bank in Moray nears breaking point after 'huge increase' in ...Press and Journal02 Apr 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/1713691/food-bank-in-moray-nears-breaking-point-after-huge-increase-in-referrals-during-busiest-ever-year/ Bosses have attributed the alarming rise, at least in part, to the roll-out of Universal Credit in the region in June last year. And yesterday the group was forced to ...

Yoga teacher facing homelessness blames new benefits systemThe Argus02 Apr 2019https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17543615.yoga-teacher-facing-homelessness-blames-new-benefits-system/ A SELF-EMPLOYED yoga instructor facing homelessness has criticised the government's Universal Credit benefits system. Alex Golding, 45, quit her job as a ...

Struggling Universal Credit claimants being sent food parcels from ...Plymouth Live3 Apr 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/plymouth-people-universal-credit-being-2715981 An American has branded the Universal Credit system a "disgrace and a travesty" - and is sending over food parcels to claimants. The USA resident said she ...

Is Universal Credit making more people homeless? A quarter of Tory ...ChronicleLive3 Apr 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/universal-credit-making-more-people-16071112 More than a quarter of Conservative council leaders believe that Universal Credit is contributing to homelessness. The Government's flagship policy has made ...

Man turned to shoplifting after Universal Credit switch left him pennilessPress and Journal3 Apr 2019https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1715888/man-turned-to-shoplifting-after-universal-credit-switch-left-him-penniless/ His solicitor Graeme Murray said: “He was placed on Universal Credit and given a six-week period with absolutely no income whatsoever. “His benefits have ...

Study found universal credit causing hardship a year and half agoThe Guardian4 Apr 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/04/study-found-universal-credit-causing-hardship-a-year-and-half-ago Ministers sat for nearly a year and a half on research that revealed that tax credit claimants experienced “real financial problems” after they signed on to ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Fears that Universal Credit could see Denbighshire pupils miss out on ...Denbighshire Free Press4 Apr 2019https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17550513.fears-that-universal-credit-could-see-denbighshire-pupils-miss-out-on-free-school-meals/ He said: “We're concerned that families who are hit by the new Universal Credit system won't be able to afford to pay for school meals for their children.

SFHA: Universal Credit creates 'systemic indebtedness' for new ...Scottish Housing News4 Apr 2019https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/sfha-universal-credit-creates-systemic-indebtedness-for-new-claimants Addressing claimant's five-week wait for their first Universal Credit payment, SFHA policy lead Jeremy Hewer said two monthly rent debts are raised before a ...

Two-child limit will put 300000 more children into poverty by the time ...The Independent5 Apr 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/two-child-limit-universal-credit-child-poverty-a8857281.html Tens of thousands more children will be tipped into poverty by the time universal credit is fully rolled out because of the government's two-child limit, a charity ...

Universal Credit claimants 'risk sanctions' due to Jobcentre closures ...The Sun6 Apr 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8805606/universal-credit-job-centre-closures/ UNIVERSAL Credit claimants risk being sanctioned because they can't get the help they need from Jobcentres with 67 closing in the past three years alone.

Austerity and Universal Credit are making people ill and the NHS can't ...ChronicleLive6 Apr 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/austerity-universal-credit-making-people-16083100 Universal Credit, homelessness and poverty are making people ill - and the problem is so bad that NHS trusts are struggling to afford the costs of treatment.

Universal Credit has led to Jobcentre staff being given extra mental ...Plymouth Live6 Apr 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/how-universal-credit-staff-told-2727879 Many people on Universal Credit have shared their experiences of how the process has affected their mental health. Last week, Plymouth Live reported about a ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Over a third of Universal Credit claimants plunged into financial ...Birmingham Live8 Apr 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-claimants-financial-difficulties-16087817 Universal Credit has long been accused of pushing people into hardship and debt. That's because of the five-week wait for the first payment, along with ...

Universal credit leaves food bank with empty shelves as they say 'We ...WalesOnline10 Apr 2019https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/universal-credit-benefits-food-banks-16105616 "Old benefits such as Job Seeker's Allowance and Employment Support Allowance used to be paid every two weeks, but Universal Credit is paid monthly and ...

Highlands left millions of pounds 'out of pocket' by Universal Credit roll ...Press and Journal10 Apr 2019https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/westminster/1721078/highlands-left-millions-of-pounds-out-of-pocket-by-universal-credit-roll-out/ Highland Council has been left millions of pounds “out of pocket” by the government's controversial Universal Credit welfare reforms, Inverness MP Drew Hendry ...

Autistic man 'on verge of eviction' after six-month Universal Credit ...Birmingham Live10 Apr 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/young-autistic-man-learning-disabilities-16097948 A young autistic man with learning disabilities has not had any income for more than SIX MONTHS amid a Universal Credit wrangle. Jon*, 22, who had been in ...

Theresa May challenged over 'entirely predictable' Universal Credit faultPlymouth Live10 Apr 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/theresa-challenged-over-entirely-predictable-2744120 A Plymouth MP has challenged Theresa May to make changes to Universal Credit due to an "entirely predictable fault". Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton ...

Struggling NHS can't cope with added pressure from Universal Credit ...Coventry Live11 Apr 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/universal-credit-mental-health-nhs-16105608

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new benefits system which has been rolled out across the UK to replace six 'legacy' benefits including Housing Benefit and Jobseekers ...

Warning 'perfect storm' of funding doubts and Universal Credit looming ...Teesside Live11 Apr 2019https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/warning-perfect-storm-funding-doubts-16115006 Funding doubts and Universal Credit mean a 'perfect storm' was looming .... is 65% of council chiefs think Universal Credit is increasingly homelessness in their ...

Benefits adviser: I see people missing out on what they are entitled to ...inews.co.uk11 Apr 2019https://inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/benefits-adviser-dwp-universal-credit-people-missing-out-entitlement/ In my last job at a housing trust I was a Universal Credit specialist. I found that getting some people through the initial claiming process is extremely difficult.

Tragic man who killed himself after running out of cash for electricity ...The Sun12 Apr 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8847451/man-killed-himself-running-out-cash-electricity-meter-universal-credit/ A MAN on benefits who killed himself after running out of money for his electricity metre 'thanked' Universal Credit bosses in a suicide note, an inquest heard.

Single mother left with £62 to last until May after Universal Credit woeEastern Daily Press12 Apr 2019https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/universal-credit-february-problems-for-beccles-mother-1-5992893 A Beccles mother was left with £62 to last until the end of April after problems with her Universal Credit. PHOTO: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire ...

CROYDON: Introduction of Universal Credit increased homelessnessYour Local Guardian12 Apr 2019https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17569556.croydon-introduction-of-universal-credit-increased-homelessness/ More people have been made homeless because of the introduction of Universal Credit (UC), a Croydon Council committee meeting has heard.

Tenant with no money leaves sarcastic suicide note thanking ...Birmingham Live12 Apr 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/tenant-no-money-leaves-sarcastic-16123242 A tenant left a sarcastic suicide note thanking Universal Credit bosses after he ran out of money. Bryan Sycamore typed the message on his mobile phone ...

More than 400 north-east tenants in rent arrears since Universal Credit ...Aberdeen Evening Express13 Apr 2019https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/more-than-400-north-east-tenants-in-rent-arrears-since-universal-credit-launch/ She added: “The council as the landlord is not provided with sufficient information by DWP to know how many of our tenants are in receipt of Universal Credit.”.

Universal credit and low incomes trigger Foodbank use riseStratford upon Avon Herald13 Apr 2019http://www.stratford-herald.com/97715-universal-credit-low-incomes-trigger-foodbank-use-rise.html “We've seen an increased need for Foodbank in Stratford and we are supplying 300 food parcels a month this is because of universal credit and low incomes ...

Universal Credit bosses blasted for spending £315000 on Gogglebox ...Birmingham Live14 Apr 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-bosses-blasted-spending-16126699 Universal Credit bosses have been blasted for spending £315,000 on a TV advert at a time when benefit claimants are struggling more than ever.

'People are beaten by the system': Cost of Universal Credit on Fife ...The Courier14 Apr 2019https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/870162/people-are-beaten-by-the-system-cost-of-universal-credit-on-fife-families/ The “nightmare” impact of Universal Credit in Fife has been laid bare by frontline organisations. A surge in poverty, addiction, crime and prostitution have been ...

Mum needing double mastectomy left with 84p due to Universal Credit ...Mirror.co.uk14 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-needing-double-mastectomy-left-14312002 A single mum with breast cancer was left with just 84 pence after a Universal Credit nightmare. Teacher Gillian Sykes found out she had cancer in January and ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Breast-cancer mum left distraught and with just 84 pence to survive on ...Liverpool Echo14 Apr 2019https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/breast-cancer-mum-left-distraught-16120339 After spending weeks waiting to find out if she could get the vital extra LCWRA payments, Gillian decided to apply for what is known as a Universal Credit ...

Hollywood actress Samantha Morton says Universal Credit and ...Nottinghamshire Live15 Apr 2019https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/hollywood-actress-samantha-morton-says-2761222 She said: "With the benefits changing to Universal Credit and single parents being penalised by this Government, and the coalition government before, people …

The 'indelible mark' that exposure to hunger leaves on childrenCNN15 Apr 2019https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/15/health/childhood-hunger-effects-partner/index.html Kerry Wright didn't feel hungry. Not in the way you might expect. Her tummy grumbled, yes, she could hear it. She just couldn't feel it. She called it "starvation ...

'Deeply irresponsible': DWP kept 'alarming' universal credit findings ...The Independent16 Apr 2019https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-credit-dwp-findings-alarming-work-pensions-frank-field-a8872601.html The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has repeatedly argued that universal credit is more generous than the old benefit system and provides a “safety ...

Amber Rudd says people are using food banks because they don't ...Mirror.co.uk16 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/amber-rudd-says-people-using-14365362 Research released by the Trussell Trust charity showed the use of food banks had increased by 52% in areas where universal credit had been in place for at ...

Poor children too ashamed to go to school on 'dress up days'daynurseries.co.uk News16 Apr 2019https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1608496/poor-children-ashamed-school-dress-up-days In-work poverty, housing issues such as high rents, homelessness and insecurity, as well as fears about how matters would deteriorate with Universal Credit, are ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

'Deeply irresponsible' ministers probed over buried Universal Credit ...Big Issue17 Apr 2019https://www.bigissue.com/latest/deeply-irresponsible-ministers-probed-over-buried-universal-credit-report/ The chair of the work and pensions committee has confronted senior ministers over a report showing Universal Credit pushed people into financial difficult ...

Real life on Universal Credit: "As soon as I get billed for my electric, I'm ...Socialist Party17 Apr 2019http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1038/28995/17-04-2019/real-life-on-universal-credit-as-soon-as-i-get-billed-for-my-electric-im-finished Hi. I'm Luke. I live alone and I'm on Universal Credit. I also worked in the Grimsby Jobcentre Plus for seven weeks as a volunteer guiding people through the ...

Man who stole £150 of meat said he was broke because of Universal ...Evening Telegraph17 Apr 2019https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/man-who-stole-150-of-meat-said-he-was-broke-because-of-universal-credit/ Colin Ewen, of St Boswells Terrace, claimed he stole the meat because he hadn't received Universal Credit payments for three weeks. The 36-year-old pleaded ...

London families 'struggle to make ends meet'The News International17 Apr 2019https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/459477-london-families-struggle-to-make-ends-meet They are adversely affected by the cuts to working families tax credits as it transitions to the universal credit system. The cuts should be reversed. The majority of ...

I slept with a married man for £20 on Christmas Day because ...The Sun19 Apr 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8838942/universal-credit-slept-married-man-christmas-day/ Single mum Charlotte is so ashamed she's turned to sex work to make money after being left destitute by Universal Credit that she has never told anyone the ...

Universal Credit left gran with '1p since January and going days ...Mirror.co.uk19 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-left-gran-1p-14434791 A grandmother has shared heartbreaking details about the plight Universal Credit has left her in. Catherine Apted said she has received just 1p since January.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit dispute means couple with £2.33 in bank may 'lose ...Mirror.co.uk20 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/universal-credit-dispute-means-couple-14437873 A couple who have less than £3 in the bank are at risk of losing their home after they claim Universal Credit made an error with their payments. Lynne and ...

'Universal Credit left me so poor I had sex with married man on Xmas ...Mirror.co.uk20 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-left-poor-sex-14436489 Charlotte, 27, says she now sleeps with 15 men a week for £150 a week because Universal Credit means she and her son would have just £1.64 a day to live ...

Universal Credit left man with less than £1 a day to live onMirror.co.uk20 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/universal-credit-left-man-less-14440503 A universal credit claimant says he's been left with less than a pound a day to live off under the much maligned benefits system. Luke Tooze, 23, claims he has to ...

People on Universal Credit are getting emergency food parcels from ...Plymouth Live20 Apr 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/people-universal-credit-getting-emergency-2752256 People will cope until the last minute they can and sometimes that delay in payment or the Universal Credit thing itself, just tips them over and they have nothing.

Families living in caravans and B&Bs for months after huge homeless ...East Anglian Daily Times21 Apr 2019https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk-homelessness-increase-universal-credit-social-housing-1-6008375 The introduction on Universal Credit is being blamed for Suffolk's "shocking" rise in homelessness, which has seen families left living in caravans, mothers ...

Blind and deaf Universal Credit claimants 'humiliated' by benefits bossesScottish Daily Record21 Apr 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/blind-deaf-universal-credit-claimants-14442978 Blind and deaf Universal Credit claimants 'humiliated' by benefits bosses ... “The process of applying for Universal Credit – or even making changes to it – is ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Universal Credit 'is a nightmare' say Fife groupsFife Today22 Apr 2019https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/politics/universal-credit-is-a-nightmare-say-fife-groups-1-4912705 The meeting reported that people working in low-paid jobs and eligible for Universal Credit top-up were expected to prove they were looking for more work – or ...

MSPs to hear calls for Universal Credit reformHeraldScotland23 Apr 2019https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17590734.msps-to-hear-calls-for-universal-credit-reform/ MSPs will debate calls for reform of Universal Credit to halt a predicted increase in in-work poverty. Holyrood's Social Security Committee will lead the debate on ...

Almost 2m people will lose £1000 a year with universal credit – studyThe Guardian23 Apr 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/24/almost-2m-people-will-lose-1000-a-year-with-universal-credit-study Almost 2 million people will lose more than £1,000 a year following the switch to universal credit, with those claiming disability benefits the worst affected, ...

Universal Credit means my baby and I go without food – and childcare ...The Sun23 Apr 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8883992/universal-credit-babygo-without-food-childcare-fees-cant-work/ SINGLE mum Lauren Anderson lives on a knife-edge, constantly in fear of falling deeper into debt but unable to get back into work due to Universal Credit.

'I'm at rock bottom': food bank offers respite from universal creditThe Guardian24 Apr 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/25/im-at-rock-bottom-food-bank-offers-respite-from-universal-credit Work is supposed to be the path out of poverty, but universal credit is stressing her out, an “absolute nightmare”, and causing her to run up rent arrears. “I put on ...

“Universal Credit is designed to make you fail”: Why is foodbank use at ...New Statesman25 Apr 2019https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/welfare/2019/04/universal-credit-designed-make-you-fail-why-foodbank-use-record-high

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

After he lost his job, Daniel applied for Universal Credit. It's the first time he has needed benefits. He says he received the standard allowance of £317, but “it's ...

Rise in foodbank use 'lamentable' says Bishop of St AlbansChurch Times25 Apr 2019https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/26-april/news/uk/rise-in-foodbank-use-lamentable-says-bishop-of-st-albans She urged the Government to end the five-week delay on Universal Credit. It was “unacceptable that anyone should have to use a foodbank in the first place”, ...

Sentence deferred on Dundee meat thief who said he stole due to ...Evening Telegraph25 Apr 2019https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/sentence-deferred-on-dundee-meat-thief-who-said-he-stole-due-to-universal-credit/ He claimed Ewen stole the meat because he hadn't received Universal Credit payments for three weeks. Sentence was further deferred by Sheriff Lorna ...

Calls for Universal Credit reform as food banks reveal record levels of ...Coventry Live26 Apr 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/universal-credit-foodbanks-coventry-16183457 Food bank network The Trussell Trust is calling for an end to the five-week wait period for Universal Credit. It comes as the charity's end of year statistics are ...

Social landlords' 'hands tied' over Universal Credit, says reportInside Housing26 Apr 2019https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/social-landlords-hands-tied-over-universal-credit-says-report-61193 Social landlords are “working with their hands tied” when trying to help tenants on Universal Credit as rent arrears continue to rise, the Northern Housing ...

Universal Credit 'key driver' of increasing need for food parcels in ...Inverness Courier27 Apr 2019https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/universal-credit-key-driver-of-increasing-need-for-food-parcels-in-highland-177281/ DWP ministers recently admitted the direct link between Universal Credit and soaring food bank use – something which Tory MSPs have consistently denied.

36000 food bank packages handed out in a year in Northern IrelandBelfast Telegraph27 Apr 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/36000-food-bank-packages-handed-out-in-a-year-in-northern-ireland-38054182.html According to the Trussell Trust, Universal Credit is not the only benefit payment people referred to food banks have had problems with, but issues with moving ...

Referrals to Dundee foodbank up 55% in a year, with Universal Credit ...Evening Telegraph28 Apr 2019https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/referrals-to-dundee-foodbank-up-55-in-a-year-with-universal-credit-to-blame-say-bosses/ Foodbank bosses have blamed the new-style Universal Credit (UC) benefit, which makes claimants wait up to five weeks for payment, for the 55% spike in ...

Demand soars for food banks in Shropshireshropshirestar.com29 Apr 2019https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2019/04/30/demand-soars-for-food-banks-in-shropshire/ Benefits which are insufficient to cover living costs and payment delays for Universal Credit were among the reasons given. Between April 2018 and March 2019 ...

DWP minister takes 8 MONTHS to reply to MP's letter about Universal ...Mirror.co.uk29 Apr 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-minister-takes-8-months-14969310 A DWP minister has taken eight MONTHS to reply to an MP's letter raising concerns about Universal Credit . Labour 's Catherine West wrote to ministers on ...

Universal credit is 'Orwellian', says former high court judgeThe Guardian30 Apr 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/01/universal-credit-is-orwellian-says-former-high-court-judge A former high court judge has described universal credit as “Orwellian” because of its tendency to create and exacerbate misery for claimants even while it ...

Sharp rise in foodbank demand as Universal Credit blamedBarrhead News1 May 2019https://www.barrheadnews.com/news/17611426.sharp-rise-in-foodbank-demand-as-universal-credit-blamed/ FOODBANK use has continued to rise, with campaigners blaming the controversial rollout of Universal Credit. New figures released by the Trussell Trust show ...

Foodbanks have record year after introduction of Universal CreditWorthing Herald1 May 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/politics/foodbanks-have-record-year-after-introduction-of-universal-credit-1-8910606 Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five-week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn't right.

Universal Credit blamed for making Wishaw the payday loan capital of ...Scottish Daily Record1 May 2019https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/universal-credit-blamed-making-wishaw-14974003 And MP Marion Fellows believes the introduction of Universal Credit saw people in the ML postcode borrowing more money last year than in any other part of ...

Ricky Tomlinson's fears for society 'going backwards' with Universal ...Mirror.co.uk1 May 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ricky-tomlinsons-fears-society-going-14981046 Ricky Tomlinson's fears for society 'going backwards' with Universal Credit and .... going backwards to the workhouse with homelessness, Universal Credit and ...

Universal Credit forces people to borrow cash from payday lendersPlymouth Live2 May 2019https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/business/universal-credit-forces-people-borrow-2819198 People on Universal Credit are turning to payday lenders to make ends meet, according to the man in charge of policing Britain's banks. Andrew Bailey, chief ...

Universal Credit bosses accused of payment errors and poor ...Birmingham Live2 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-bosses-accused-payment-16214358 Universal Credit bosses have been accused of keeping claimants in the dark about how much they should receive. The Child Poverty Action Group said people ...

Mums leaving newborn babies in hospital because of Universal CreditWalesOnline3 May 2019https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/mums-leaving-newborn-babies-hospital-16220268 Mums are being forced to leave their newborn babies behind in hospital because they can't afford to keep them thanks to Universal Credit and other welfare cuts ...

Universal credit regulations ruled unlawful by high courtThe Guardian3 May 2019

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/03/universal-credit-discrepancies-ruled-unlawful-by-high-court The government subsequently proposed regulations whereby SDP claimants who lost benefit income after moving to universal credit before the establishment of ...

Universal Credit mum 'trapped' in Kings Norton house that's too BIG for ...Birmingham Live3 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-mum-trapped-kings-16167999 A disabled mum is 'struggling to survive' in a city house that is too BIG for her needs. Gillian Leader, 59, is living in a three-bedroom house in Kings Norton - but ...

Universal Credit: Meet The Woman Taking On The DWP Over Her ...HuffPost UK3 May 2019https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/meet-the-woman-who-wants-to-change-universal-credit-over-her-daughters-death_uk_5ccc0660e4b0e4d75730ae1a Universal Credit replaces housing benefit, child tax credit, income support, working tax credit, jobseeker's allowance, and employment and support allowance.

Life line Barrow service set to support 'minefield' of Universal CreditNW Evening Mail3 May 2019https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/17617885.life-line-barrow-service-set-to-support-minefield-of-universal-credit/ Since Universal Credit's roll-out last December, there has been a notable rise in claimants in five of Cumbria's six districts, with Barrow and Carlisle seeing the ...

Peckham Job Centre Anti-Universal credit picketSouthwark News3 May 2019https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/peckham-job-centre-anti-universal-credit-picket/ The group are picketing the centre because of Universal Credit, the new benefit payment system that combines six former benefits or tax credits into one ...

DWP tells dying man he's fit for work and has benefits cutChronicleLive4 May 2019https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/dwp-employment-support-allowance-16213847 Darryl, who worked in the catering industry, said: "I applied for Universal Credit and got my first payment which was £236 which means I can't take medication ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Mum living off egg and chips after Universal Credit left her on £60-a ...Mirror.co.uk4 May 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mum-living-egg-chips-after-14994947 A disabled mum is having to live off egg and chips and feels 'trapped' inside her house after Universal Credit left her on just £60-a-week. Gillian Leader, 59, is ...

Man stole Paco Rabanne perfume from Boots, Blackburn, after DWP ...Lancashire Telegraph4 May 2019https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17619629.man-stole-paco-rabanne-perfume-from-boots-blackburn-after-dwp-sanction/ A MAN whose universal credit had been slashed by £600 went shoplifting so he could pay the rent. Blackburn magistrates heard Craig Southworth was caught ...

Young family ordered to pay back nearly £6500 in universal credit ...Bristol Live5 May 2019https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/young-family-ordered-pay-back-2836284 It will take a young family five years to pay back nearly £6,500 in universal tax credits after 'errors' handling their claim resulted in them being overpaid.

Mum survives Universal Credit nightmare thanks to the kindness of ...Mirror.co.uk5 May 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/mum-survives-universal-credit-nightmare-14991767 'It's amazing how kind people can be' - As the number of people looking for help with Universal Credit from strangers triples we speak to one mum who told us ...

Single mum starving herself for days to feed kids amid eviction fearsBirmingham Live5 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/single-mum-starving-herself-days-16204151 Danielle White, 35, says she is on the verge of eviction from her Castle Vale home after a mix-up between her housing association and Universal Credit.

Slow response to universal credit errors 'bizarre', says councilThe Guardian6 May 2019https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/07/dwp-slow-response-to-universal-credit-errors-bizarre-says-council The mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said the dossier of costly blunders showed that universal credit was “riddled with errors and systemic faults” and was ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

DWP 'defies Gregorian calendar' to leave Universal Credit families ...Mirror.co.uk6 May 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/dwp-defies-gregorian-calendar-leave-15003665 Yet Universal Credit awards will be the same as any other year, because the six-in-one benefit is calculated on the basis of there being 52 weeks in a year.

Universal Credit bosses branded 'morally corrupt' after forcing family to ...Birmingham Live6 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-repayment-error-dwp-16234559 Universal Credit bosses have been branded 'morally corrupt' and ... and had given the DWP all the correct information to calculate Universal Credit payments.

Brighton food bank mum: 'Universal Credit not enough'The Argus6 May 2019https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17622132.brighton-food-bank-mum-universal-credit-not-enough/ A MUM has spoken out about her struggles living on Universal Credit. The Whitehawk resident, who wished to remain anonymous, was forced to apply for ...

Bury St Edmunds foodbank charity says demand for aid parcels is ...Bury Free Press6 May 2019https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/demand-for-aid-parcels-is-steady-says-foodbank-9068763/ Demand for food parcels is 'steady' but has increased since the introduction of Universal Credit, according to a Bury St Edmunds foodbank. Gatehouse, in ...

Great Yarmouth school a 'fourth emergency service'BBC News6 May 2019https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-48119099 Three years ago, Great Yarmouth was chosen as a pilot site for the introduction of universal credit - a welfare reform which combines six benefits into a monthly ...

Councils treated as 'spectators' in Universal Credit rolloutThe MJ7 May 2019https://www.themj.co.uk/Councils-treated-as-spectators-in-Universal-Credit-rollout/213557 A council that has uncovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of Universal Credit (UC) over and underpayments has claimed local authorities are 'spectators' ...

'Five-week Universal Credit delay forced me into B&B where my baby ...The Sun

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

7 May 2019https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/8962529/universal-credit-delays-left-me-in-caravan/ MUM-OF-TWO Kylie Goodyear says a five-week wait for Universal Credit led to her family being evicted from their home and forced into a drug-filled B&B, where ...

'Very, very cruel' Universal Credit benefit sparks need for foodbank ...Ipswich Star7 May 2019https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/families-in-need-new-premises-ipswich-suffolk-1-6036950 An under-pressure foodbank has said problems caused by Universal Credit are among the main reasons it is being forced to build new £300,000 premises.

Dying father told because he can 'push an empty box' he's 'fit for work ...inews.co.uk7 May 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/real-life/dying-father-benefits-halved-dwp-department-for-work-and-pensions-universal-credit/ After being put on to Universal Credit (UC) his benefits have now been halved, which he explains has pushed him into destitution – leaving him with just £13 a ...

Universal Credit not covering the 'cost of renting' in WalesITV News8 May 2019https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2019-05-09/universal-credit-not-covering-the-cost-of-renting-in-wales/ Single young people in Wales claiming Universal Credit are having to face the choice between paying for food and bills or paying their rent, a new report has ...

Thousands of emergency supplies handed out by food banks in ...London News Online (blog)8 May 2019https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/thousands-of-emergency-supplies-handed-out-by-food-banks-in-lambeth-last-year-figures-show/ The Trussel Trust says a record number of packages were handed out nationally, with benefit payments which fail to cover living costs and Universal Credit ...

Universal Credit: Another change that will mean people lose cash ...Evening Times8 May 2019https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/17627029.universal-credit-another-change-that-will-mean-people-lose-cash-warns-glasgow-msp/ Mr Doris has been told by the council it expects that many people will miss out on Universal Credit payment,s that already are seeing a delay before the first ...

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Homeless man defaced betting shop window after becoming frustrated ...Nottinghamshire Live8 May 2019https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/homeless-man-defaced-betting-shop-2845741 Homeless Anthony Fidler got frustrated over problems with state benefit and scrawled "down with capitalism" on the window of a betting shop. Three days later ...

Gov.uk Verify has 'failed users' and its leaders lack accountability, say ...ComputerWeekly.com8 May 2019https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252462967/Govuk-Verify-has-failed-users-and-its-leaders-lack-accountability-say-MPs Before then, it has a duty to get this programme working properly for existing users, such as people claiming Universal Credit, and set out a plan of action for ...

Universal Credit is putting Hull families at risk of becoming homeless ...Hull Daily Mail9 May 2019https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/universal-credit-putting-hull-families-2848015 Low-income families in Hull are at risk of homelessness due to shortfalls in Universal Credit, a homeless charity has claimed. According to a new report from ...

People in Derbyshire are living on '£2 a day' because of Universal CreditDerbyshire Live9 May 2019https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/universal-credit-branded-a-mess-2845191 People in Derbyshire can be living on as little as £2 a day because of Universal Credit, it has been claimed. Derventio Housing Trust, which is based in Boyer ...

Demand for Aylesbury Foodbank increases by almost 100%

Mix 969 May 2019https://www.mix96.co.uk/news/local/2862064/demand-for-aylesbury-foodbank-increases-by-almost-100/ The Trussell Trust said that, across the UK, almost half of food bank referrals made due to a delay in benefits being paid were linked to Universal Credit.

Benefit delays and living costs blamed for increase in need for ...North Devon Gazette9 May 2019https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/need-for-emergency-food-parcels-increase-in-devon-1-6039653

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Benefit payments which fail to cover living costs and Universal Credit delays among the reasons given. The Trussel Trust says a record number of packages ...

Government defeated again as High Court finds Universal Credit ...Lexology9 May 2019https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5c741cb3-a7c5-4906-8abc-6714c6724c56 The High Court ruled today that the government's Universal Credit migration arrangements for those who previously received the Severe Disability Premium and ...

'Benefit delays are forcing desperate people into food banks'Pontefract and Castleford Express9 May 2019https://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/people/benefit-delays-are-forcing-desperate-people-into-food-banks-1-9759552 Many agree that universal credit - brought in to replace the old benefits system ... time, a minimum of five weeks once they are put on universal credit,” he said.

Universal Credit U-turn after families left with no money for THREE ...Birmingham Live10 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/universal-credit-financial-sanctions-changes-16257534 Universal Credit bosses have admitted that penalties imposed on claimants - leaving them with no money for as long as three years - were unfair and ...

Universal Credit claimants in Caerphilly council homes owe £500k in ...South Wales Argus10 May 2019https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17632619.universal-credit-claimants-in-caerphilly-council-homes-500k-in-unpaid-rent/ A report has now warned that Universal Credit could carry serious implications for the council, staff and tenants, including a rise in homelessness and more debt.

Charity says Universal Credit is putting people in Coventry at risk of ...Coventry Live10 May 2019https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/universal-credit-homeless-crisis-coventry-16255353 A universal credit shortfall is leaving low-income households in Coventry at risk of homelessness, according to a national charity. At least 92 per cent of rented ...

People on Universal Credit struggle to afford rented homes in ...Nottinghamshire Live11 May 2019https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/people-universal-credit-struggle-afford-2854236

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Just 12 percent of couples and single people over the age of 35 who receive Universal Credit can afford to pay for rented accommodation across the city, figures ...

Universal Credit gap in Caerphilly County Borough puts people at risk ...South Wales Argus11 May 2019https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17633748.universal-credit-gap-in-caerphilly-county-borough-puts-people-at-risk-of-homelessness/ A report by the homeless charity Crisis warns that the gap between the cost of rent and universal credit is leaving single young people facing the tough decision ...

Woman told she's not 'ill looking' enough for benefits - despite 18 ...Birmingham Live11 May 2019https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/woman-told-shes-not-ill-16260153 Camilla's financial strife began in 2018, when she was taken off controversial benefits system Universal Credit. She was removed from the system after her ...

Homeless cases rocket 380 per cent in South LakesThe Westmorland Gazette11 May 2019https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/17628500.homelessness-is-on-the-rise-in-south-lakes/ The roll-out of Universal Credit – which has seen weekly benefits become a monthly payment and money for housing paid directly to the tenant rather than the ...

Warning as fraudsters dressed in suits con people into taking out ...The News12 May 2019https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/warning-as-fraudsters-dressed-in-suits-con-people-into-taking-out-universal-credit-in-new-scam-1-8923710 Instead, the victims are unwittingly signed up to universal credit with the scammers applying for an advanced payment which is paid to the person's bank.

Kevin Maguire: 'Every British child matters...not just royal ones'Mirror.co.uk12 May 2019https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/kevin-maguire-every-british-child-15472235 ... were short-changed an average £3,441 a year by benefits caps, freezes, the two-child limit and a Universal Credit fatwa – and the blame is the Government's.

Government welfare policies like Universal Credit will double number ...inews.co.uk12 May 2019https://inews.co.uk/news/government-welfare-policies-will-double-number-of-children-living-in-poverty/

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

There will be a huge increase in the number of families living in poverty because of reforms to the welfare system, it has been claimed. The benefits cap, the ...

Dundee man 'unable to heat home or buy food' jailed for shopliftingThe Courier12 May 2019https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/890259/dundee-man-unable-to-heat-home-or-buy-food-jailed-for-shoplifting/ “He is on Universal Credit. He tells me the issue which had delayed the application has been resolved. “He will be in receipt of money over the next few days ...

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Further reading

National Audit Office Reports

Rolling out Universal Credit In this report, we assess the value for money of the Department for Work and Pensions’ introduction of Universal Credit.

15 Jun 2018

Benefit sanctions The Department for Work & Pensions is not doing enough to find out how sanctions affect people on benefits.

Published:30 Nov 2016

Fraud and Error Stocktake The government continues to lose large amounts of money through fraud and error overpayments and many vulnerable people get less support than they are entitled to.

Published:21 Jul 2015

Welfare reform – lessons learned It is important that the DWP use the hard lessons it learned from implementing its recent programme of welfare reforms to improve how it manages change and anticipates risk.

Published:29 May 2015

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Work And Pensions Committee Reports

Universal Credit: Childcare HC 1771 | Published 23 December 2018

Universal Credit: support for disabled people HC 1770 | Published 19 December 2018

Universal Support , HC 1667 | Published 28 October 2018

Universal Credit and domestic abuse HC 1166 | Published 01 August 2018

Universal Credit for self-employed HC 997 | Published 10 May 2018

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Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Institute for Fiscal Studies

Universal credit and its impact on household incomes: the long and the short of it https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/publications/bns/Universal credit and its impact on household incomes.pdf

24 Apr 2019

In this research we investigate who wins and loses from universal credit, and by how much. For the first time, we also look at the effects of universal credit on people’s incomes over eight years of their lives, rather than just at a point in time.This lets us look at the im-pact on those that are persistently, rather than temporarily, low income.

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Academic articles

Universal Credit is built around flawed incentives that are doing real damage – fixing it is   essential https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=a1207318-a7a3-4eaa-b2ee-35e03ef1a254&sp=1&sr=3&url=%2Funiversal-credit-is-built-around-flawed-incentives-that-are-doing-real-damage-fixing-it-is-essential-105202

Sharon Wright, University of Glasgow; Lisa Scullion, University of Salford, and Peter Dwyer, University of York

The system of welfare conditionality that underpins Universal Credit is ineffective at moving people off social security and into work.

A welfare adviser’s view on Universal Credit: a flawed system that emphasises process over   people https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=a1207318-a7a3-4eaa-b2ee-35e03ef1a254&sp=1&sr=4&url=%2Fa-welfare-advisers-view-on-universal-credit-a-flawed-system-that-emphasises-process-over-people-85291

Richard Machin, Staffordshire University

It was meant to provide a more streamlined and coherent system – but it isn't working.

Universal Credit: from benefits panacea to government   blunder https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=a1207318-a7a3-4eaa-b2ee-35e03ef1a254&sp=1&sr=5&url=%2Funiversal-credit-from-benefits-panacea-to-government-blunder-73008

Dan Finn, University of Portsmouth

Fewer than half a million people are currently receiving the new, simplified benefit according to newly released data.

Why Universal Credit is like the Victorian   workhouse https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=a1207318-a7a3-4eaa-b2ee-35e03ef1a254&sp=2&sr=11&url=%2Fwhy-universal-credit-is-like-the-victorian-workhouse-106720

Alannah Tomkins, Keele University

The desire to treat all those in poverty via one policy stems from the same impulses that led to reform of poor laws in the 19th century.

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Constant anxiety of benefit sanctions is toxic for mental health of disabled   people https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=a1207318-a7a3-4eaa-b2ee-35e03ef1a254&sp=2&sr=15&url=%2Fconstant-anxiety-of-benefit-sanctions-is-toxic-for-mental-health-of-disabled-people-105067

Danny Taggart, University of Essex; Ewen Speed, University of Essex, and Jaimini Mehta, University of Essex

A new study has highlighted the damaging psychological impact of welfare conditionality on disabled people.

In/validating disability: changing labour markets and out of work disability benefits http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/21504/

Rosa Kate Sullivan

This thesis is concerned with the relationship between the political economy and UK governments’ approaches since the 1970s to out-of-work disability benefits. It uses a historical materialist analysis of both the current mode of production and the social model of disability to understand how and why there is a disconnect between government approaches to disability and disabled people’s lived experiences. The concept of a ‘validating device’ – the mechanism used to determine who is exempt, on the grounds of disability, from having to seek employment - is utilised to analyse changes in out-of-work disability benefits and the accompanying assessments.

Universal Credit - May's Poll Tax?26th October 2017

http://labourbriefing.squarespace.com/home/2017/10/26/9gnt59thhiwy34q3oja9ssu1ahizch

UNIVERSAL CREDIT (UC) is potentially May’s Poll Tax. It could be her Thatcher moment. This pernicious assault on the rights of UK citizens to welfare benefits has, during its pilot phases, caused huge poverty, rent arrears and hunger for claimants, their children and families.

What Welfare Benefits Reform Should Really Look Like2nd December 2018

http://labourbriefing.squarespace.com/home/2018/12/2/vpdhrt0ciix3xijw1nqsksl7p6ae4d

IF THE NHS HAS LONG BEEN SEEN as the jewel in the crown of the welfare state, loved by almost all, then the opposite has been true of the welfare benefits system, ever since its creation after the Second World War.

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Hunger, Debt, Homelessness, Crime, Prostitution and SuicideMedia Articles telling the effects of Universal Credit

Fact checks

200,000 more people in work under Universal Credit? The government can’t know the answer The National Audit Office says the government will never be able to measure whether Universal Credit leads to 200,000 more people in work.12TH OCT 2018

Is Universal Credit driving people to food banks? Trussell Trust research shows increases in food bank use in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out. It’s difficult to measure the extent that one is causing the other.6TH JUL 2018

Do new Universal Credit requirements affect women more? Women make up the majority of single parent households, and some research suggests they could be more acutely affected by Universal Credit’s conditions.2ND OCT 2018

Did the government ignore a vote in parliament on Universal Credit? Over 40 Conservative MPs spoke in the debate but only one voted.20TH OCT 2017

Universal Credit isn’t the reason there are 1,000 more people a day in work The total increase in employment could be driven by many things, especially population increase.23RD OCT 2018

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Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA)

Position Statement on Disability Assessments

The Principles

All assessment processes / eligibility criteria and benefits system must be based on the UN CRPD and social model of disability and upon the following tenets:

1. That it is the economic, social, cultural and physical barriers and discrimination operating in society that are the cause of poverty and unemployment amongst disabled people and the reason many disabled people require social security, benefits and support from the state.2. That it is the role of the state to remove these barriers. We (disabled people) are not the causes of these barriers nor do we cause our own poverty or exclusion from the workplace. We must be trusted as individuals and as a community that want to participate and contribute to society. Many of us want to work but cannot because of ill heath and impairment alongside exclusion and discrimination we experience in the workplace.3. We (disabled people) can and must be trusted as experts on our lives and needs and as result all assessment processes must be user-led: a self-assessment process (with external verification).4. Universal Credit, conditionality, sanctions, WCA/PIP assessments and the biopsychosocial model of disability are incompatible with the UN CRPD and the social model of disability and must be scrapped and replaced based on the points below.5. There needs to be a move away from work being viewed as a health outcome.6. Concepts of malingering/illness deception and target numbers for maximum numbers on benefits/numbers to be got off out of work benefits are incompatible with a human rights approach.

Key characteristics of a social model assessment process/ system based on the above tenets :

1. The assessment / benefit process must be must user-led: a self assessment process (with external verification) delivered through peer-led DPOs

2. It must be based around the following three questions (drawn from personal budgets):a) How do you want to live and what do you want to achieve?b) What stops you living that life?c) What would help you live that life?

3. The assessment/benefit process must express and reflect the UNCRPD – it must explicitly support disabled people to live independently with choice and control

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4. There must be independent information, advice and advocacy available to disabled people, delivered by DPOs, going through the assessment process

5. Services and support must be free at the point of need and paid for from general taxation delivered by user-led, public sector organisations.

6. That social security payments / income must enable people to live with dignity and equality of opportunity and participation.

7. That social security payments / income must meet the additional costs of disability and impairment. Local Authorities must not be able to take this additional funding to meet the extra cost of being disabled from disabled people to pay for their care charges (currently some local authorities are taking into account the care component of DLA/PIP when charging for social care). However, if social care was free at the point of use it wouldn’t be relevant.

8. This can be achieved by repealing the Health and Social Care Act and replacing it with a Right to Independent Living Act

9. The restoration of the principle of social security - recognition that people have a right to an income replacement payment in order to not live in poverty when they are too ill and/or experience too many barriers to engage in paid employment.

10. There needs to be a single and joined up assessment process whilst retaining separate payments for income replacement when someone cannot work plus an additional costs of disability payment.

11. Ensure that the focus is not just on the individual but also encompasses structural and societal level barriers. This would need to include the availability of suitable local employment, as well as a wider look at working conditions and what employers can do to change the culture of work to make it more flexible and accommodating (this would arguably be of benefit for everyone, not just disabled people).

12. The assessment should also be of what additional support a person might need in order to take up suitable employment, again taking account of a specific job environment as well as any relevant wider issues around the 12 pillars of independent living, such as access to transport, access to personal assistance, etc. Work however must never be seen as a ‘health outcome’

13. All sanctions and conditionality must be removed from the social security system with immediate effect.

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14. If appropriate for each individual continuing support to increase someone’s chances of finding and then maintaining employment should be available.

15. Ensuring meaningful and speedy access to redress if a person is unhappy with the result of their assessment.

16. Ensure that employers and workforces reflect the diversity of the population and that disabled people are represented in the workforce in line with the percentage in the working population.

17. Improve working practice, strengthen workers’ rights, enforce employer duties and provide high quality pre-employment support and on-going in-work support to both Disabled people and employers.

18. Invest in an expanded Access to Work service, delivered by user-led DPOs and extend it to volunteering and work experience.

19. Integrate into and delivered by a new National Independent Living Service, based alongside the NHS and delivered locally through user-led DPOs and Co-ops.

20. Self-assessment applications will only be processed within the DWP (or equivalent government department) and there will be no role for private contractors.

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Local Government Reports on Universal Credit

Local Government Association responds to Citizen's Advice report on impact of Universal Credit6th Feb 2019

https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/lga-responds-citizens-advice-report-impact-universal-credit

“The ability of councils to provide extra support to people to keep rent arrears down is becoming increasingly limited and we also remain concerned about the Government’s significant reductions in Housing Benefit, which can leave people struggling to pay their rent."

Local Government Association responds to NAO report on Universal Credit15th June 2018

https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/lga-responds-nao-report-universal-credit

"The Government needs to restore funding to councils for local welfare assistance schemes so they can provide the local safety net to help those struggling to cope with welfare reforms, including the roll out of Universal Credit."

Emergency food bank use rises to record level 25 April 2019 Local Government Chronicle

https://www.lgcplus.com/services/health-and-care/emergency-food-bank-use-rises-to-record-level/7028723.article?search=https%3a%2f%2fwww.lgcplus.com%2fsearcharticles%3fqsearch%3d1%26keywords%3dUniversal+Credit

The number of emergency food parcels distributed to households in crisis rose in the past year by nearly a fifth to a record level of just under 1.6 million, the trust running the largest network of food banks has said.

IFS: Universal credit to hit low income households hardesthttps://www.lgcplus.com/finance/ifs-universal-credit-to-hit-low-income-households-hardest/7028699.article?search=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lgcplus.com%2Fsearcharticles%3Fqsearch%3D1%26keywords%3DUniversal+Credit

24 April 2019 Local Government Chronicle

The roll-out of universal credit will result in the poorest households losing the most when income protections during the transition period expire, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has found.

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Tower Hamlets Housing Scrutiny Committee Minutes, 26th February 2019

https://democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=773&MId=9583&Ver=4

Appendix 1, Page 63

Universal Credit roll out in Tower Hamlets Benefits Service experience

This report provides an overview of the council’s Benefits Service experience of the Universal Credit roll out in Tower Hamlets for the current financial year 2018/19. The Service also holds data for the previous financial year 2017/18.

This year the Benefits Service has referred 539 Universal Credit cases back to the DWP as accuracy queries.

The 539 referrals arose as the council’s Benefits Assessment staff identified the errors as they were assessing Housing Benefit/Local Council Tax Reduction claims with Universal Credit awards.

It is pertinent to note that the errors have been identified routinely rather than following a prescribed checking process. The council receives no funding to identify and remedy error on Universal Credit claims. Our experience shows that if such funding were made available by DWP the referral rate would be substantially higher and there could be less error in the Universal Credit system.

Despite the lack of funding, the council’s Benefits Service has allocated a dedicated resource to these referrals; this resource liaises with the DWP and with the customer to facilitate the correction of UC errors identified.

It should be noted that the DWP will not act upon notification of a Universal Credit error from the council. This is despite councils being considered “partners” in the delivery of Universal Credit by the DWP.

As a consequence the DWP will often advise the council that they will correct errors which the council has identified only after the claimant notifies them of the error. The exception being where the council, the claimant and the DWP are all together and the claimant gives permission for the council to act on the claimant’s Universal Credit claim.

Where such permission is granted it is only allowable once. If another error were to be subsequently identified on the UC claim, the DWP require fresh permission to be obtained from the claimant again before the council can act on the claimant’s behalf once more.

This bizarre process is far apart from Housing Benefit administration where the DWP and councils work in genuine partnership and deal with errors immediately on welfare benefits and on Housing Benefit claims without the claimant needing to be contacted. The claimant is only contacted after the errors are swiftly resolved. These arrangements reduce error, minimise underpayments and over-payments in the system and in so doing provide a better experience for residents.

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Our local experience informs our view that the current liaison arrangements are not fit for purpose. The DWP appear to have developed a UC delivery model where councils are spectators in the Uni-versal Credit process with the one exception, the council’s role of ending Housing Benefit entitle-ment after a claim for Universal Credit has been made.

Our liaison concerns and the level of error identified locally have both been communicated to DWP.

Universal Credit consists of two elements, the living element and the housing element. The Benefits Service has focused particularly on identification of two areas, overpaid Universal Credit housing element and underpayments of Universal Credit housing element.

Universal Credit error resulting in overpayments

There are several examples where Universal Credit housing element was paid incorrectly due to the accommodation being exempt; supported accommodation or temporary accommodation after the 11 th April 2018 or when there has been a rent change which should of triggered UC ending and hous-ing benefit being awarded.

The council identified a Universal Credit case overpayment involving payment of UC housing ele-ment to a claimant placed in supported exempt accommodation. The claimant was placed in suppor-ted accommodation following their partner passing away; the children were placed into care. The council identified early on that the claimant was receiving both UC housing element and also the child element in error. It took repeated notifications from the council to the DWP (at least seven and escalation requests) for the matter to be resolved. A UC overpayment of over £18k resulted.

The council identified one case where Universal Credit was paid in error due to the claimant not ac-tually being eligible to claim as the family had three or more children. This error accounted for the largest overpayment identified of £25,206.27. The error should have been easy to identify as in-eligible for Universal Credit using the DWP’s own restrictions/rules. Of all our cases identified where there have been two child restriction cases (three claims had three children and one had five children), these account for in excess of £50k in UC overpayments.

The council has identified Universal Credit cases where the DWP have investigated claimants for fraud and informed the council that the fraud has been proven, there is no entitlement to benefits and the claim should not be paid. The council has advised the DWP that the fraudulent claimant has successfully claimed Universal Credit which has been paid by DWP in spite of the DWP’s own fraud investigations. These are overpayments.

To date, the total value of Universal Credit overpayments identified by the council and referred to the DWP for correction is £194k, this in respect of 43 cases with an average of £4,510.77 ranging from £25k to £277.00.

Again, it is worth stressing the point that these errors are being identified as council Benefits As-sessors routinely perform their tasks rather than actively looking at identifying error.

Universal Credit error resulting in underpayments

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Identification of Universal Credit underpayments occurs where the DWP has missed off or wrongly calculated the housing element of Universal Credit.

During the year the council’s Benefits Service has identified cases where the DWP has refused to pay the housing element of Universal Credit as the DWP incorrectly believed the council should be paying housing benefit for temporary accommodation claims prior to 11 th April 2018.

Our experience suggests DWP also ended claimants UC housing element if the claimant mentioned temporary accommodation on their Universal Credit journal or had a non-change in rent change of circumstance e.g. a partner joined the household which seemed to trigger Universal Credit housing element ending. In these cases, council staff have had to explain to Universal Credit staff what their own rules and regulations are and why Universal Credit housing element has to continue (as there was no change in rent/temporary accommodation charges).

The council confirmed the DWP had wrongly applied UC rules to one case in temporary accom-modation; the DWP refused to pay the claim as a result of the claimant not submitting ‘rent proof’ until after the 11 th April 2018. This took some work by the Benefits Service to convince the DWP of their error and the claimant was eventually awarded £8k.

The council has identified many cases where rent reduced on Universal Credit claims. These errors were traced back to a UC assessment error whereby inputting of rent increases treated a weekly rent as a monthly rent. As a result of our intervention the claims were corrected over time.

The Benefits Service has identified incorrect Universal Credit award components on many cases for example where children are missed off of the UC assessment, where carers’ element is not awarded, etc.

The council have identified UC cases where claimants are not paid at the correct rate especially in the cases where joint tenants have vacated and the incorrect proportionate joint tenant amounts of UC housing element has been awarded.

On one case, a claimant whose partner was a pensioner had passed away; so she had to claim Uni-versal Credit. The DWP treated her deceased partner as a joint tenant as his name was on the ten-ancy agreement. Despite being aware that she was claiming as a single person, the DWP awarded UC housing element at only 50%.

The same case is still not assessed correctly by the DWP as they have restricted her rent due to so-cial sector size criteria rules (bedroom tax) from the start of her claim when she should have quali-fied for maximum entitlement of UC housing element for the first 3 months.

To date, the total value of Universal Credit underpayments identified by the council and referred to the DWP for correction is £150k, this in respect of 143 cases with an average of £104.49 ranging from £8k to £29.00.

Universal Credit – outstanding and resolved UC case queries

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The Benefits Service currently has 197 outstanding Universal Credit queries with DWP made this financial year. There are other case queries still outstanding from 2017/18 with the DWP.

146 Universal Credit queries have been resolved with DWP which had no under or overpayment.