FOLLOWING the resignation of the former DWP Secretary Esther McVey from Theresa May’s Cabinet, local Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards has made a further call to the new Secretary of State to pause the rollout of Universal Credit which is due to come into force in Carmarthenshire in December.
Universal Credit is a new benefit which is replacing means-tested social security benefits, including Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, and Income Support.
Other benefits such as Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payments, Child Benefit and Carers Allowance are not being replaced by Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is being rolled out at Ammanford Jobcentre on December 12.
Due to a standard five-week wait for the first payment when you start claiming, those being moved over to Universal Credit at the end of November or midway through December are unlikely to get their first payment until the New Year, leaving many people at risk of a financial gap over Christmas.
Local MP Jonathan Edwards has called on the Secretary of State to pause the rollout across Carmarthenshire and, at a bare minimum, ensure all recipients are made aware of the advance which is available.
Jonathan Edwards MP said: “Plaid Cymru has consistently opposed the Tory Government’s Universal Credit programme. The way in which this social security stitch-up has been implemented has made matters worse for those most vulnerable in our society.
“Due to a standard five-week wait for the first payment when you start claiming, those being moved over to Universal Credit at the end of November or midway through December are unlikely to get their first payment until the New Year, leaving many people at risk of a financial gap over Christmas.
“According to the Child Poverty Action Group, while the DWP offers loans to assist those left hanging for payments, repayments have to be made at such a rate once Universal Credit payments start that they plunge families into a cycle of debt and deprivation.
“To avoid this financial gap, claimants can apply for an advance payment when making a claim for Universal Credit, which will be 100% of the first month’s payment. This payment should arrive within five days.
“I’m calling on the new Secretary of State to pause the rollout in Carmarthenshire until the UK Government gets to grip with the problems it has caused, rather than leaving people in financial difficulty. The UK Government must, as a bare minimum, advertise that an advance payment is available.
“Rather than have our people suffer the incompetence and callousness of the Tories, Plaid Cymru supports the devolution of welfare administration. Taking control for ourselves is one way we can better protect the people of Wales.”
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