OH, TO BE YOUNG
Universal Credit sanctions ‘hit under 30s hardest’, research claims – as Iain Duncan Smith warns PM not to betray ‘Just About Managing’ Brits
YOUNG Brits on Universal Credit are the hardest hit by benefit sanctions, new analysis has revealed.
New figures show that more than 70 per cent of penalties under the Government's controversial new system land on Brits under 30.
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Campaigners have demanded that the system - which has been beset with problems so far - be halted while the issues are fixed, or even scrapped altogether.
Today the architect of the scheme, Iain Duncan Smith, said ministers would be betraying the Just About Managing Brits if it didn't help plough extra money into the scheme.
He told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: "Theresa May stood on the steps of Downing Street and said I want to look after those who are just about managing.
"Universal Credit is the single best system to get to those who are just about managing... we need to put the money in. I'm asking him to do that. Nobody should lose at all."
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Ministers have reversed some of the cuts to the welfare budget - but Brits are still set to lose out under the new regime.
Today 27 Tories signed a campaign urging Theresa May to change rack and reverse the planned cutts.
Research from Labour showed that out of 473,000 decisions to sanction Brits under Universal Credit, 332,000 were for those under 30 - and a fifth were for claimts who were aged 18 and 19.
Most sanctions are handed out because claimants failed to attend scheduled appointments.
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Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood stormed: "Rather than supporting young people into secure, well paid jobs, the Tories are hitting them with sanctions.
“Universal Credit is causing poverty and hardship wherever it's rolled out, especially for young people."
The party wants to reviewed the whole system to see if it's fit for purpose - after reports that hundreds of people have lost money on the new system.
It's also been attacked for taking weeks for claimants to get their first payment, and for stopping domestic abuse victims from leaving their partners as benefits are now only paid into one account per family.
A DWP spokesperson said today: "Sanctions are only used in a very small percentage of cases when people fail to meet their agreed commitments in return for benefits.
"Universal Credit provides additional, tailored support to help people into work, and evidence shows that as a result people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer."
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What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover it, here are your options:
Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.
Alternative Payment Arrangements- If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently , or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren't enough to cover your rent.
Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
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Last week it was revealed that millions of families could be left up to £200 a week worse off when the new system is rolled out to everyone on benefits next year.
But some 700,000 are set to benefit and could get up to £4,000 extra as officials are able to tell who is missing out, Theresa May also revealed this week.
Ex-PMs John Major and Gordon Brown have warned that the issue could be as bad the poll tax for the party, and must be looked at again.
And unhappy Tories are demanding that extra money be ploughed into it to stop that happening.
It has been speculated that Philip Hammond is mulling cancelling the planned tax break for low earning Brits to try and rescue the system.
Mr Duncan Smith added today: "If you put the money into UC allowances, nearly 80 per cent of the money goes straight to the poorest four percentiles - it's a no brainer really."
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock today insisted that Universal Credit was working - and he hadn't had any complaints about it in his area.
"The majority of people prefer being on UC," he said, insisting that "when people are migrated onto the new benefit we put a new £3billion package to make sure people aren't worse off."
The DWP has been approached for comment.
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