Iain Porter, Policy & Partnerships Manager at the Joseph
Rowntree Foundation, said:
“While it is encouraging that significantly more
claimants are receiving their first Universal Credit payment on
time, it still does not justify the minimum five-week wait. There
was nothing compassionate or just about this policy prior to the
pandemic and as the levels of unemployment grow, we urgently need
to get support to people when they need it. The report also
rightly highlights the additional pressures the system places on
vulnerable claimants with complex needs.
“Many families who make a Universal Credit claim have
little or no savings to tide them over while they wait and in
lots of cases have to turn to foodbanks for help. Although there
are advance payments available, our recent polling of Universal
Credit claimants suggests around 70% of recipients faced
difficulties or significant difficulties as a result of taking
out advances. The Government must end the five-week wait – in the
short-term this could be done quickly by turning advance loans
into non-repayable grants, or at least suspending repayment of
advances, so people are not pulled deeper into poverty and
debt.”
Notes to editors:
-
In addition to ending the minimum five-week wait
for Universal Credit, JRF is calling for the Government’s
lifeline measures to be extended for families with children,
with an urgent, temporary, £20 per week increase to the child
element of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit to support
those struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis.
Full briefing is available on our
website.
