Universal Credit 477,000 New Claims Due to Coronavirus Layoffs

CORONAVIRIUS JOB LOSSES - There has been an avalanche of claims for Universal Credit of 477,000 claims which is more than eight times the average and that has prompted online queues of tens of thousands of people trying to prove their identity.

Despite self-employed people remaining stranded without extra help, the government also refused to axe the five-week wait for payment.

One of the issues with ID checks is that robots could claim Universal Credit and there is an issue with trying to identify individuals quickly but without leaving the door open for fraudsters.

Despite self-employed people remaining stranded without extra help, the government also refused to axe the five-week wait for payment.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plans to redeploy 10,000 back office staff onto the front line to help. So far 1,500 people have been redeployed already with 3,000 more due later this week. The DWP cut 19,000 odd staff not long ago and there are not enough front-line staff. 

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