UNIVERSAL CREDIT - The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Universal Credit, led by MP Debbie Abrahams, is calling on the government to provide enhanced support for Universal Credit (UC) claimants and to fix the longer term, structural issues with the UC system following a series of mini inquiries.
Since May, the cross-party group of MPs from across the country, together with members of the House of Lords, have held meetings on three topics: the coronavirus, mental health and housing.
The current APPG Officers are:
A number of the temporary measures the government put in place to bolster social security in the wake of the pandemic, such as the suspension of financial sanctions and the requirement to meet job coaches, have been favorably received by charities and claimants a like. As the economic consequences of the coronavirus continue, many would like to see these policies continue to support claimants through recovery. These include:
Debbie Abrahams, Chair of the APPG on Universal Credit, said:
“The coronavirus pandemic saw a huge and sudden increase in claimants. As the Furlough Scheme comes to an end in the next few weeks, this is likely to increase even further. It is more important than ever that we make sure that Universal Credit is better able to meet the needs of claimants and provide the timely financial support they need while they work to get another job or start a business.
“Becoming an UC claimant should not be associated with debt, poverty, homelessness or ill. But for too many it is. Our social security system is not fit for purpose, it is not the safety net that it’s meant to be.
“Evidence from charities, claimants, and academics have come together to develop pragmatic policies to improve Universal Credit. People need to get the help they need; when they need it.”
Image: Thomas Lawson, CEO at Turn2us.
Thomas Lawson, CEO at Turn2us, said:
“It is great to see politicians from across the spectrum come together to work on practical steps to improve Universal Credit for the people that need it.
“We see the frontline reality of poverty every day, people are struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills. Universal Credit should support people to thrive, not barely get by.
“Universal Credit has the potential to become part of a social security safety net we can all be proud of, but the DWP must be brave and ambitious enough to acknowledge its failings and fix it quickly.”
ABC Note: The APPG heard from speakers who raised long-standing issues with Universal Credit which have been exacerbated by the pandemic or undermined measures to support people during this difficult time:
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