MORE than a quarter of a million vulnerable Brits were at risk of plunging into debt after being forced to give up Tax Credits while they waited to be moved onto Universal Credit last year.
Families who were migrated onto the new controversial benefits system were left without any “transition payments” during the up to five week wait for their first Universal Credit handout.
The Department of Work and Pensions set aside £3billion to make sure that existing benefit claimants aren’t left without cash while they migrate systems to stop their income plummeting.
But the help isn’t available to those who’s move is sparked by a “change in circumstances”, like moving house or having a baby.
Now, the DWP has admitted moving 273,747 Tax Credit claimants onto Universal Credit without any protection during the transition period, between December 2017 and November 2018.
The Government’s flagship scheme has been riddled with a string of serious issues since it launched in 2013, which is why The Sun has launched a campaign to Make Universal Credit Work.
The Sun wants to Make Universal Credit Work
Universal Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment.
One million people are already receiving it and by the time the system is fully rolled out in 2023, nearly 7 million will be on it.
But there are big problems with the flagship new system – it takes 5 weeks to get the first payment and it could leave some families worse off by thousands of pounds a year.
And while working families can claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, they must find the money to pay for childcare upfront – we’ve heard of families waiting up to 6 months for the money.
Working parents across the country told us they’ve been unable to take on more hours – or have even turned down better paid jobs or more hours because of the amount they get their benefits cut.
It’s time to Make Universal Credit work. We want the government to:
- Get paid faster: The Government must slash the time Brits wait for their first Universal Credit payments from five to two weeks, helping stop 7 million from being pushed into debt.
- Keep more of what you earn: The work allowance should be increased and the taper rate should be slashed from from 63p to 50p, helping at least 4 million families.
- Don’t get punished for having a family: Parents should get the 85 per cent of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.
Together, these changes will help Make Universal Credit Work.
Join our Universal Credit Facebook group or email UniversalCredit@the-sun.co.uk to share your story.
While claimants can apply for an advance loan to cover them during this time, the cash is taken out of their Universal Credit payments in instalments until the debt is repaid.
This leaves hard-up Brits at risk of borrowing funds from loan sharks, who charge rip-off rates, to plug the gap, pushing them even further into debt.
The figure, obtained by Labour in a Freedom of Information request, covers Brits on Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, meaning that they either had a job and, or, a family.
Are you on Universal Credit? Tell us your story. Email: universalcredit@the-sun.co.uk and join our Universal Credit Facebook group.
A DWP spokesperson said: “People only move onto Universal Credit from existing benefits if they have a change in circumstances – this ensures they’re receiving the right level of support.
“Universal Credit is a force for good for many, and over 1.4 million people are now successfully receiving the benefit.”
The “managed migration” of existing benefit claimants to Universal Credit will received transition payments but that won’t start until 2020.
But there still won’t be any help available for those who are moved over after a change of circumstances before then.
Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “It is unacceptable that hundreds of thousands of workers are being pushed onto Universal Credit without any protection.
“Universal Credit has caused poverty and hardship to families across the country. The Government must immediately stop the roll out.”
MAKE UNIVERSAL CREDIT WORK
Universal Credit was rolled out to 44 new areas in December, meaning that now every job centre in the country runs the service for new claimants.
Yesterday, we reported how experts believe that Universal Credit could be £100 a month – or £1,200 a year – better off if ministers implemented changes The Sun campaign is calling for.
A disabled man was left with less than £1 to live on over Christmas after receiving a Universal Credit payment of just 1p.
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Link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/universal-credit-put-over-270000-people-at-risk-of-debt-due-to-unacceptable-5-week-wait/
News Pictures Universal Credit put over 270,000 people at risk of debt due to ‘unacceptable’ 5-week wait
You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st
To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.
Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”
Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”
kim cattrall
Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb
SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AF-ARTICLE-BANNER-UNIVERSAL-CREDIT-01.jpg?strip=all&w=799
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