Latest editorial
THE Tory government condemned thousands of families to a winter of hardship today as it slashed universal credit in the face of mass opposition.
The benefit’s £20-per-week uplift, introduced by the government in March last year, was cut despite warnings that the decision will exacerbate child poverty, put further pressure on foodbanks and harm people’s mental health.
The Independent Food Aid Network, which represents more than 500 foodbanks around Britain, said its members are now “running out of options” and that some may even be unable to support people as the cut kicks in and living expenses rise.
DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE
A new report from the Citizens Advice destroys the government narrative about disabled people ‘choosing’ not to work, showing the £3,000 annual cuts will create a two-tiered system based on claim dates rather than needs, writes DYLAN MURPHY