Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has called on the government to stop the universal credit programme after conflicting government statements have sown confusion over the impact on claimants who will be required to transfer to claiming Universal Credit from next year.
The next phase of the roll out of Universal Credit will mean nearly 3 million people over the next 4 years currently claiming the benefits that Universal credit is replacing, such as Tax Credits and ESA, being required to claim Universal Credit instead.
The last week has seen further controversy over whether people who are required to transfer to Universal Credit during the next phase of the roll out will lose financially as a result. It was reported that the Work and Pensions Secretary had told Cabinet colleagues that families could lose up to £200 a month.
The controversial universal credit programme is currently being rolled out in Portsmouth and Stephen has visited the local job centre, and will be doing so again shortly. He’s also been listening to the concerns of a number of city charities and interested groups.
Yesterday, the Labour group on Portsmouth City Council proposed a motion raising concerns regarding the impact of Universal Credit on the most vulnerable families in the city.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“More and more people are pressing the Government to stop the roll out of Universal Credit (UC).
UC should be making work pay, but the major flaws in its design and delivery are pushing people into poverty rather than protecting them from it.
The government has begun requiring people in Portsmouth to claim Universal Credit instead of their existing benefit; but the confusion caused by the conflicting statements from the Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary over the past week about whether people will lose out financially as a result will have caused real concern.
Despite the evidence we are seeing of the impact of Universal Credit, the Government seems determined to press ahead with the next phase. I am calling on them to step back from the brink before it is too late and stop the roll out.”
