BENEFITS BOOST?
Universal Credit set to get more cash in Budget 2018 to ‘smooth’ out issues as MPs demand the rollout is stopped
UNIVERSAL Credit is set for a funding boost in tomorrow's Budget, Philip Hammond has hinted.
The Chancellor gave his strongest suggestion yet that he would attempt to "smooth issues" around the transition onto the new flagship benefits system.
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Tory MPs have been pressuring the Chancellor to give more cash to Universal Credit, after reports that thousands will be worse off by hundreds of pounds a month when the roll on to the new system next year.
Backbenchers launched a last-minute plea to Mr Hammond today to reverse 2015 cuts to the scheme, and to slash the five-week wait for benefits.
And today the Chancellor indicated he was listening to their demands.
He told the Andrew Marr Show that "of course there have been teething problems" but that "where we see issues that need addressing, we will address them".
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He said that he wanted to "smooth the process" of moving from one system to another, and defended the principles of Universal Credit to help more Brits into work.
"I have shown by my actions that I am prepared to look at this from a very pragmatic view.
"I want Universal credit to work, we have to make sure that it does," he added.
He told Sophy Ridge on Sunday that "if we find cliff edges and difficulties, frictions in the move to Universal Credit, we will always try to smooth those out".
And Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss also hinted a move was underway, telling BBC 5 Live: "We’re listening very carefully to the experience across the country. We want this system to work."
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell piled on the pressure, saying Labour MPs should "vote this budget down" if he doesn't halt the roll-out.
He told Sky: "we’ve got to stop him forcing people into poverty in this way".
And ex-Tory cabinet minister Justine Greening said it is "going to be hard for many of us... to support it without the changes it needs to be successful".
Labour have released 10 demands to ministers to tackle the problems with Universal Credit - including cutting the five week wait, ending sanctions and restoring the cuts to work allowances people are allowed to do before their benefits drop.
Labour's Shadow DWP boss Margaret Greenwood said today: "Universal Credit clearly isn’t working. The Chancellor should use this Budget to take immediate action and put an end to the suffering."
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A new report from the Commons Work and Pensions Committee last night said the system hadn't been offering enough support - and urged ministers to halt the rollout.
Chair of the committee, Frank Field MP said: "DWP must not push one more claimant on to Universal Credit until it can show that it will not push them over the edge."
Just days ago the committee reported that the Department were "failing" vulnerable Brits and had been ignoring the problems with the new system.
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Universal Credit aims to roll six benefits into one monthly payment, but its already been plagued with problems.
From the confusing online system to taking weeks for people to get their first payment, Brits are saying it's pushing them into debt and there's .
Mums have said the system penalises single parents, and one said she couldn't afford her kid's school uniforms either.
Ministers have insisted they are adopting a "test and learn" approach and they will fix any problems with the new system as soon as they arise.
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