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Morning Briefing: anti-poverty groups call for Universal Credit overhaul
A coalition of poverty charities and faith groups have joined calls for Universal Credit to be overhauled.
In the news
The Guardian reports this morning on claims from End Hunger UK, which represents 73 organisations, that the new welfare system is driving up use of food banks.
It called for the five-week delay before new claimants receive their first payment to be reduced to two weeks and pointed to frequent administrative errors.
Pressure is mounting on the government over Universal Credit after a damning report by the National Audit Office (NAO) last month which said it has failed to deliver value for money.
Esther McVey, work and pensions secretary, faces a censure debate in parliament today over her response to the report, after previously admitting she misled MPs about the NAO report.
In other news, the Evening Standard reports on the fire at a block of flats in Marylebone yesterday afternoon.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the owner of the building has not been confirmed. Three people were treated for smoke inhalation, with one taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, the BBC runs a story about homeless people in Cardiff who have been struggling to cope with the heatwave currently baking the UK.
Homelessness charity The Wallich said it is seeing people suffering from heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration.
It comes as Chelmsford City Council receives criticism for its new housing allocations policy, which will give higher priority to households which have made efforts to prevent their own homelessness.
A homelessness campaigner told the Braintree & Witham Times the council is splitting people into the “deserving and undeserving poor”.
Elsewhere, City AM ran a piece yesterday focusing on the housing industry’s frustration at yet another new housing minister, after Dominic Raab was made Brexit secretary and was replaced by Kit Malthouse following just six months in the role.
Sarah Jones, shadow housing minister and MP for Croydon Central, has written an article for LabourList claiming that Mr Raab had “six failures” in his six months in charge.
On social media
Congratulations to our Chief Exec @SineadBAspire who receives her Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University at @KeeleUniversity today. We’re all very proud!
— we are aspire (@weare_aspire)Congratulations to our Chief Exec @SineadBAspire who receives her Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University at @KeeleUniversity today. We're all very proud!
— we are aspire (@weare_aspire) July 10, 2018
NFA & @ARCH_housing report launched today - Carrying the debt - Measuring the impact of Universal Credit on tenants & landlords - survey results 2018 t.co/tF7xDZYBJN pic.twitter.com/9tZOX2qiNT
— NFA (@NFA_ALMOs)NFA & @ARCH_housing report launched today - Carrying the debt - Measuring the impact of Universal Credit on tenants & landlords - survey results 2018 https://t.co/tF7xDZYBJN pic.twitter.com/9tZOX2qiNT
— NFA (@NFA_ALMOs) July 11, 2018
What’s on
- Prime Minister’s Questions will take place in the Commons at 12pm
- Parliament will also hold an Opposition Day Debate about Esther McVey’s, work and pensions secretary, handling of Universal Credit this afternoon
- The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will continue today at 10am with questions to Jo Smith
