Nos. on UC-
The number of people on Universal Credit as of 9 March 2017 was 490 thousand. Of these people 190 thousand (38 per cent) were in employment.
Prisoners- '...Due to restrictions on accessing and using computers in prisons, prison leavers cannot currently make a claim in advance of their release. ' (govt.)
Increase in foodbank use- New report(Trussell Trust) on Universal Credit reveals adverse side effects on people claiming and foodbanks providing help
'...Foodbanks in areas of full Universal Credit rollout to single people, couples and families, have seen a 16.85% average increase in referrals for emergency food, more than double the national average of 6.64%....
The effect of a six-plus week waiting period for a rst Universal Credit payment can be serious, leading to foodbank referrals, debt, mental health issues, rent arrears and eviction. These effects can last even after people receive their Universal Credit payments, as bills and debts pile up....
People in insecure or seasonal work are particularly affected, suggesting the work incentives in Universal Credit are not yet helping everyone...
Navigating the online system can be dif cult for people struggling with computers or unable to afford telephone helplines. In some cases, the system does not register people’s claims correctly, invalidating it...'
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