A Universal Credit sign on the door of a job centre plus in east London, October 6, 2021
CAMPAIGNERS slammed the government for pushing single mothers and others on razor-thin margins into deeper financial instability with drastic benefit overhauls.
Under new rules implemented today, universal credit claimants earning less than £892 will be expected to search for more, or better paid, work. Failure to do so could risk them losing their benefits altogether.
The threshold has risen sharply from £617 for individuals, and £988 for couples, who are now expected to take home at least £1,437.
Plans to delay access to the universal credit health element until age 22 have triggered fierce opposition from disabled people’s groups, who warn it would deepen poverty and entrench discrimination against young disabled people under the guise of ‘encouraging work.’ DYLAN MURPHY reports
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
In the current climate, it is vital to bust the myths and put forward the case for a humane and decent social security system that supports people, argues FRAN HEATHCOTE