NAWRA has sent a formal response to the Work and Pensions Committee Universal credit update inquiry. Thank you to all the members who responded to our request for information – your help has been invaluable, as always.
NAWRA has serious concerns about Universal Credit – in particular as the full service rolls out. We have called for a range of changes to be implemented if the full rollout is to have a chance of success. These include:
- Allowing alternative payment arrangements on request – allowing flexibility would ease the transition for claimants, ease the administrative burden on the DWP, and lessen the need for such a high level of personal budgeting support.
- Recognising that for some people getting online on a daily basis may not be possible – alternatives such as phone or face to face contact need to be more readily available.
- Verifying and paying housing costs much more quickly.
- Taking payments for temporary housing out of the monthly assessment process so that all costs can be met as they arise and paid promptly.
- Removing waiting days for all claimants – leaving claimants without money makes it virtually impossible to job seek effectively and put people in debt right from the start.
- Reinstating implicit consent for advisers – so that problems can be resolved as quickly and effectively as possible.
You can download and read our full response to the inquiry in March 2017 and updates from September and October 2017.