Leaked memo ‘shows government launching PR campaign to defend Universal Credit’

THE GOVERNMENT is 'launching a new PR campaign to help improve the perception of Universal Credit', leaked documents have revealed.

It includes a new three-part BBC documentary series and an advertising campaign in a national newspaper, The Guardian has reported.

It is believed that the internal memo from the Department for Work and Pensions condemned the "negativity and scaremongering" in the media, which is blames for putting people off applying for the benefit.

The new media strategy is reported to include a four-page advertorial feature in a national daily newspaper that will "myth-bust" common Universal Credit inaccuracies - but it won't include DWP or UC branding.

While BBC2 has commissioned a documentary series giving a "fresh look" at the controversial benefits system which is due to be aired this autumn.

The DWP internal communications said it has been "working closely with the BBC" to ensure "a balanced and insightful piece of television".

The Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents civil servants, confirmed to The Sun that a senior DWP manager told them that it would have access to the films before they were broadcast.

It is normal for media organisations to give access to films before broadcast for for factual and staff confidentiality reasons.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has full editorial control over this series which will be an impartial look at Universal Credit.”

It comes after The Sun launched its Make Universal Credit Work campaign where we have highlighted the problems with the new system. 

We've called for the five-week wait for cash to be reduced to two and asked for childcare funding to be paid upfront to parents.

We also want people to keep more of what they earn by lowering the taper rate and increasing the work allowance.

In February, DWP secretary Amber Rudd admitted that Universal Credit's five-week wait for cash had pushed people into using food banks.

Earlier this month, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) warned that people are being pushed into debt due to government mistakes.

While a third of people who move on to UC have had money problems. 

A DWP spokesperson said: “It’s important people know about the benefits available to them, and we regularly advertise Universal Credit.

“All our advertising abides by the strict guidelines set by the Advertising Standards Authority.”

If you want to know the basics, here's what Universal Credit is, who’s eligible to claim it, and how the benefits system has changed.

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