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New benefit system criticised

Unions and charities claim most families will gain nothing from the Government's new Universal Credit payment.

  1. Elaine Willcox

Warning over Universal Credit system

A new report claims most families will gain nothing from the Government's new Universal Credit.

The TUC and Child Poverty Action Group said the new single benefit payment, now being trialled in Ashton Under Lyne, was in danger of failing to deliver on its key objectives.

Nine out of 10 families will gain nothing overall from its introduction, with any benefits offset by recent social security cuts.

Requiring people to claim online and make joint claims with their partners will make the process more complicated at a time when advice services are being cut.

Universal Credit is not bad in principle, but taken together with the other benefit changes introduced by the Government, it will make most people worse off.

– TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady

Universal Credit lets itself down on many fronts. It introduces new complexities into the benefits system such as joint payments and new rules on savings. In addition, the financial gains for many are underwhelming, and the new system will rely as much on the stick as the carrot to incentivise claimants into work.

– Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Alison Garnham
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New benefit system criticised

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