People’s Powerhouse movement: Universal Credit must be paused

The National Audit Office report into Universal Credit must now mean the pause button is pressed on Universal Credit, preventing more damage being done to people and families in the North of England, many of whom are doing their best to make ends meet, say the leaders of the People’s Powerhouse movement, which aims to shape the Northern Powerhouse to focus on issues affecting people and communities across the North.

People’s Powerhouse is calling for DWP to now pause and take the time to listen to people’s experiences before further roll out of Universal Credit which is causing too much hardship, not providing the work incentives it is intended to, and which needs clearer measurement of the real impact and damage it is doing to communities and families.

People’s Powerhouse Director Tracy Fishwick also heads Liverpool-based social enterprise Transform Lives Company which supports people furthest from employment back into the workplace. She has seen first-hand many of the problems outlined in the NAO report.

Says Tracy: “This affects lone parents, disabled people, working families – everyone – and when people are at their most vulnerable we must not let them down with systems that are badly designed. How are we to improve services if we overlook crucial issues impacting people’s lives? Universal Credit is causing human misery. We call on DWP to accept that Universal Credit has caused hardship among claimants, press the pause button and re-model urgently to prevent this continuing to happen.”

The People’s Powerhouse is deeply concerned about the impact on people in work and looking for work – both can claim Universal Credit. The effect on people’s mental health cannot be over-stated.  Living in insecure tenancies, working in the gig economy, not knowing if you have work from one day to the next is all part of modern Britain and it has an impact on people, communities and families.

The People’s Powerhouse agrees with the National Audit Office recommendation that the Department should take the time to listen to claimants, delivery partners and other stakeholders and properly measure and understand what is happening to families and communities. For example, more understanding of the combined impact of the roll out of universal credit at a time of cuts to local services is needed.

“Ploughing on regardless when all the evidence is pointing to the fact a pause is desperately needed is irresponsible, uncaring and will have a profoundly damaging impact on people’s lives. DWP needs to take the time to listen and understand what is happening –  and press the pause button on Universal Credit now, ” concludes Tracy.

The post People’s Powerhouse movement: Universal Credit must be paused appeared first on Charity Today News.