Universal Credit must be "about people not politics"

Citizens Advice has highlighted the challenges people are facing in claiming Universal Credit without the necessary support, saying that a slow roll-out is sensible, as the Work and Pensions Select Committee today criticised the Government's handling of the benefit’s introduction.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:

"Making Universal Credit work needs to be about people not politics. A slower roll-out is sensible, but we are now more than a year into the introduction of the single benefit and the lack of concrete detail over what support will be available to people as the new system is introduced is a concern.

"Aspects of the new system like monthly payments, all-online applications and the need for bank accounts will be a challenge for many people. With one in five of our clients in pilot areas concerned about how they'll access basic banking and more than half worried about online forms, strong support is vital. We'll continue to work closely with councils to help manage these changes, but with people in the most complex personal circumstances yet to start receiving the new benefit, the biggest challenges are still to come.

"As well as concerns over delivering the new benefit, there are worrying flaws in the system's design which could leave people worse off than they are now, even if they are in work. Ministers are setting a parent trap for low income families which means they will struggle to make every hour of work pay. Poor attention to detail is set to undo good intentions as ministers have failed to join up increased support for childcare, extended Free School Meals and Universal Credit."

Notes to editors:

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.