People with vulnerabilities are not protected by welfare reform concessions
- 04 Nov
A group that provides support to welfare claimants has said that modifications to Westminster's welfare reforms are not enough to protect people with vulnerabilities.
Mary McManus of East Belfast Independent Advice Centre told a conference in Belfast: "It's like throwing a bucket of water at a massive fire. It's not going to help," reports the BBC.
Steve Cullen, the chief executive of Warrington Citizens Advice Bureau, who are currently trailing universal credit has said there are significant problems with the system, and he does not believe it is ready for a national roll-out.
Even though only 1600 people are on universal credits in his ward, he is receiving at least one person a day seeking help with problems to their benefit payments.
He identified several problems with the system.
• Applying for universal credits is done primarily online, so is difficult for people with low literacy or no internet access.
• The minimum period of time between applying for universal credits and receiving the first payment is five weeks.
• Mistakes made in administering the system have a big impact on people.
Mr Cullen said: "Already we're getting young single people who are moving in with partners, getting jobs, losing jobs, moving house. The system does not seem to me to be able to cope with people's real life situations. They call them 'complex cases', I just see it as being people's ordinary lives."
An announcement that payments in Northern Ireland would be made fortnightly rather than monthly has been welcomed by support groups.
Ms McManus said: "We welcome the minister's package of measures to mitigate against the most negative impacts of the welfare reform bill, and to protect the most vulnerable. However, the evidence from England and Scotland shows that they will not protect the most vulnerable."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Image source: http://www.freeimages.com/photo/386434
Related articles
- 08 Nov
NHS BOSS SETS OUT A CASE FOR CASH BOOST
The speech by Mr Stevens at the NHS Providers' annual conference of health managers is being made at the time when three reputable health think-thanks- the Health Foundation, the King's Fund and the...
- 09 Jun
THERESA MAY PLEDGES TO REPLACE THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983
According to Ms May, the new bill would introduce the following:According to the Tories, the proposals were described as the biggest change to mental health treatment law in over 30 years.Ms May...
- 30 May
THE PRESENT FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF SCOTLAND IS TO PLEDGE AGAINST ANY PLANS TO PRIVATISE THE NHS
It is also expected that Sturgeon will do the following as proof of her party's commitment to fighting against further austerity:Sturgeon said this before Tuesday's manifesto launch:"While the polls...
- 17 Mar
402 MILLION POUNDS WILL BE INVESTED IN COUNCILS WITH THE GREATEST HOMELESSNESS DEMAND FROM APRIL 2017
Presently, funding is only used for homeless households and not for the prevention of homelessness in the first instance.The funding by the Department for Communities and Local Government is set to...
- 15 Mar
RULES AROUND PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS MAY CHANGE ON THURSDAY
Ministers have advised chief executives of over 30 charities which claimed that people will be left without vital financial support, to restrict access to a disability benefit.The Disability Benefits...
- 06 Mar
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGED BY THE BMA TO INCREASE HEALTH SPENDING BY 10 BILLION POUNDS
This increase in health spending to a proportion of GDP that matched that of the 10 leading economies across Europe could pay for at least 35,000 extra beds a day and many more GP's, according to the...
- 05 Sep
MANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGES AT RISK OF CLOSING DUE TO HOUSING BENEFIT CAP
Women who have been victims of domestic violence as well as their children are at risk of falling into the hands of their violent partners if the government caps housing benefit in the social sector...
- 03 Sep
Data on disability benefits refused by DWP
DWP officials have refused a second request for basic information on disability benefits using the “Section 22” exemption they used previously, reports The Independent.The Department had been...
- 02 Sep
UN to investigate how welfare reforms will affect disability rights
A disability charity in Scotland has said it’s been contacted by the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of an inquiry into Britain’s treatment of people with...
- 01 Sep
Benefit cuts affecting 48,500 families in Liverpool
Analysis from Liverpool City Council has found that around 48,500 households are likely to lose their benefits due to new government reforms, reports the Liverpool Echo. Councillor Jane Corbett has...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "I thought this briefing was very good and very useful. The presentation was clear, well argued and I always find Michael gives me food for thought even if I don't agree with everything he says. I really like the way he facilitates a discussion in the room and I learn as much from other participants as I do from the presenter which is always good. Right length, right tone." R.P. - Richmond Fellowship
