Amber Rudd takes on ‘poisoned chalice’ of Universal Credit at DWP – as she vows to ‘fix problems’
AMBER Rudd has been handed the "poisoned chalice" of looking after Universal Credit as she takes on the job as head of the DWP.
The former Home Secretary has been brought back into the Cabinet as Mrs May tries to shore up support among her allies amid Brexit chaos.
Ms Rudd, who was forced to resign earlier this year over the Windrush scandal, incorrectly told MPs there were no deportation targets.
It was later revealed in a report that the 55-year-old had been deliberately been given incorrect information by her officials.
Now she's back and in charge of the troubled Universal Credit programme - which is rolling out to all areas by the end of the year.
She will face an uphill battle to fix the problems with the new flagship benefits system, which rolls six payments into one.
And she becomes the sixth person in the job in less than three years - replacing Esther McVey who quit over Theresa May's Brexit plans.
Critics warned she was taking on a "poisoned chalice" and the Government was unlikely to survive for even a few weeks.
David Lammy said yesterday: "She will be the sixth DWP secretary since March 2016. This is a poisoned chalice in a government that is unlikely to survive until Christmas."
Earlier this week a damning UN report slammed the new system for forcing Brits into poverty, and using vulnerable people as "guinea pigs".
The system has been plagued with delays and has been blamed for forcing thousands of Brits into debt as they wait for their first payments.
Stats revealed recently showed that one in six new claimants still aren't getting their payment in full and on time.
Next year MPs will decide how to transfer people who are already on benefits onto the new system.
Ms Rudd last night pleaded for unity among the Cabinet, and vowed to "iron out" problems with Universal Credit.
She said it had "transformed lives" as she started the new role and she wanted to "make sure that we really do help everybody across the country".
Asked whether responsibility for Universal Credit was a "poisoned chalice", she replied: "I have seen Universal Credit do some fantastic things.
"In my constituency in Hastings and Rye it really has transformed lives.
"But I also recognise that there have been some issues with it, some problems with it.
"I see it very much as my job, my role, to make sure that I try to iron out those difficulties so it becomes a force wholly for good."
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Labour blasted the PM for rehiring Ms Rudd so soon after the Windrush scandal.
Shadow minister Jon Trickett stormed: "After enforcing Theresa May’s hostile environment in the Home Office, Amber Rudd will now be in charge of the DWP’s hostile environment for disabled people and the poorest in society.
“With Universal Credit in absolute shambles, appointing a disgraced former Minister who was only recently forced to resign for her role in another scandal is a desperate choice by a weak Prime Minister."
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