Universal Credit
Listen to local government to avoid Universal Credit disaster
If 'managed migration' - moving more than four million claimants of legacy benefits on to Universal Credit from summer 2019 - is to succeed, local authorities must have a leading role in supporting applicants, says Cllr Muhammed Butt.
Universal Credit bad for people's health - academics
Universal Credit (UC) is bad for health and wellbeing, academics have found in a new study commissioned by Gateshead MBC.
Ending the cycle of homelessness
Chief executive of Craven DC, Paul Shevlin, says councils need more funding and affordable housing to end the cycle of homelessness.
Budget 2018: Billion-pound Universal Credit pledge
Chancellor Philip Hammond today pledged £1bn in an attempt to ease benefits claimants’ transition to Universal Credit (UC).
Whitehall ‘dismissed’ councils’ concerns over Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is ‘disturbingly adrift from the real-world problems’ caused by the Universal Credit rollout, a report by MPs has concluded.
Furious LGA attacks Universal Support decision
Smith Square has penned a stinging rebuke to a senior civil servant over Whitehall’s shock decision to strip responsibility for Universal Support from councils.
SOLACE: 'It's no way to run a country,' says Miller
The current state of public finances are ‘no way to run a country,’ SOLACE president Jo Miller told council chiefs at their annual conference.
Casey: Involve councils in sorting Universal Credit
Whitehall must use the expertise of councils to sort out Universal Credit (UC), a former senior Government adviser has told The MJ.
McVey: Some people will be worse off under Universal Credit
Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has admitted that some people will be worse off as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).
Councils' concern over Universal Support withdrawal
Councils have reacted with dismay after the Government handed support for the Universal Credit (UC) rollout to the charity sector.
McDonnell calls for end to Universal Credit
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called for Universal Credit to be scrapped.
Universal Credit chief admits support is not working
The civil servant in charge of the Universal Credit rollout has admitted support for claimants has not been effective, as responsibility was handed to the charity sector.
Liverpool latest to deliver Universal Credit warning
Thousands of residents in Liverpool will be forced into a ‘downward spiral of debt and destitution’ after the rollout of Universal Credit (UC), senior figures in the city have warned.
London calls for halt to Universal Credit rollout
Pressure is mounting to halt the rollout of Universal Credit (UC).
'Universal Credit rollout to bring poverty and hardship'
Scotland’s social security cabinet secretary has warned that the full rollout of Universal Credit to Glasgow later this month will cause increased poverty and hardship.
UN to probe austerity impact on councils
The impact of austerity on local government is to be investigated by the United Nations (UN).
Minister signals further Universal Credit changes
More changes are in the pipeline for Universal Credit, work and pensions minister Esther McVey has revealed.
LGA in Universal Credit plea
Smith Square has urged ministers to work closer with councils to ease financial uncertainties households face during the transition to Universal Credit (UC).
Minister apologises for misleading MPs over Universal Credit
A minister has been forced to apologise for misleading MPs over the rollout of Universal Credit (UC).
A universal problem
The National Audit Office has released another damning report on the rollout of Universal Credit. Patrick O’Brien breaks down the findings and speaks to key figures in the sector.