UNIVERSAL credit has “failed millions of people” and “punishes the poorest” by meting out some of the most “punitive sanctions in Europe,” a damning review by peers has found.
A House of Lords committee of crossbenchers called today for urgent reform of the benefit system, saying that it has driven people deeper into poverty.
However, it fell short of demanding a complete overhaul of the system, claiming that this could cause severe disruption.
As a proportion of GDP the total welfare bill is lower than it was 15 years ago. The claim that it is spiralling out of control is mythmaking, argues DIANE ABBOTT
MPs back measure for 66-year-olds but it won't end suffering, groups say
DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE