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Welsh housing minister asks McVey to ‘rectify’ Universal Credit issues
The Welsh Government housing minister has written to Esther McVey asking her to explain “how she will rectify” flaws with Universal Credit highlighted in a damning report by the UK spending watchdog.
A National Audit Office report published last month concluded that the new welfare system has not delivered value for money and is causing financial trouble for claimants.
It found that food bank usage in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out has increased 30%, compared to 12% in other areas.
And a survey by Ms McVey’s, UK work and pensions secretary, own department also found that four in 10 claimants were experiencing financial difficulties.
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Rebecca Evans, housing and regeneration minister for the Labour-led Welsh Government, called the figures “extremely worrying”.
She said: “The National Audit Office highlighted that the system is lacking in ways to identify vulnerable people, which makes it difficult to see how they are getting the right support, from the outset when they apply for Universal Credit.
“I have asked the secretary of state to explain how she plans to rectify this.”
She also called on Ms McVey to make Universal Support – which is help making Universal Credit claims and managing payments – “available as widely as possible” for those struggling to use or access the system.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) survey found that 46% of new Universal Credit claimants need help to make their claim online.
“I am deeply concerned about the flaws of Universal Credit, and its impact on the most vulnerable people in Wales, and I will continue to press the UK Government on addressing these,” Ms Evans added.
A spokesperson for the DWP said: “We have received the letter and will respond in due course.
“Universal Credit is a flexible and responsive benefit that provides additional tailored support to move into work, and we continue to make improvements during the roll-out with our ‘test and learn’ approach.
Already we have removed the seven waiting days, made 100% advance payments available from day one and introduced two weeks’ extra housing support for claimants moving onto Universal Credit. Personal budgeting support is also available for people needing extra help managing their money.”
Update: at 10.45am 11/07/18 a comment from the DWP was added to the story.
