THE warning to the Government over Universal Credit from Bishop of Durham Paul Butler is about as stark as it gets.
Unless urgent action is taken to improve the support for people on the benefit, said the Bishop, more and more families will turn to food banks and become trapped in poverty.
In other words, a Government policy to encourage people back into work is actually forcing them further into hardship.
Of course, for anyone wrestling with the complexities of claiming Universal Credit, who is suffering delayed payments or who has supported a friend or family member through the process, the Bishop’s comments are not news.
He is another voice added to the maelstrom of criticism of the implementation of the benefit. The Bishop’s statement came amid claims the Department of Work and Pensions is considering making changes to provide more help to new claimants.
The BBC said it had obtained leaked documents showing plans to continue paying some existing benefits for two weeks after a claimant applied for Universal Credit.
If that is correct – and it is to be hoped it is – then that is at least a small step in the right direction. What is needed, though, is a giant leap – a pause in the roll out while a significant rethink takes place.
It would not be a sign of weakness for the Government to call a halt – just a sign it is listening to the multitude of voices all saying the same thing.
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