Universal Credit causing unacceptable hardship

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has slammed the Conservative Government for refusing to listen to problems experienced by those on Universal Credit as the Public Accounts Committee urges Ministers to make fundamental changes to the scheme.

The Public Accounts Committee has today (26th October) published its report into the implementation of Universal Credit. The committee concludes that:

• The DWP’s dismissive attitude to real-world experience is failing claimants
• The recent announcement of delayed roll-out is not a solution
• The Government must work with third-party organisations to shape programme

Liberal Democrat MP and Public Accounts Committee member, Layla Moran said:

Day in and day out I hear stories of payment delays, penalties and technical failures leading to hardship and mental health problems. But instead of listening to constructive criticism, the Conservatives attempt to force through Universal Credit without reform is creating a new poll tax.

This damming report proves what many of us suspected, and the Liberal Democrats demand better. The billions of pounds of funding that were cut from Universal Credit in 2015 must urgently be restored so that people get the support they need.