Cross-party coalition of MPs calls for government to extend measures introduced to support claimants during pandemic, and fix structural issues within universal credit

Social security system 'is not the safety net that it's meant to be', says Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Universal Credit has called for the government to extend measures introduced to support claimants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and fix longer-term structural issues within the universal credit system.

Following a series of meetings on coronavirus, mental health and housing, the APPG says that a number of the temporary measures the government put in place to bolster social security during the COVID-19 outbreak have been favourably received by charities and claimants, and that many would like to see them extended during the economic recovery from the pandemic, including -

• the £20 per week uplift to the universal credit standard allowance - the APPG comments that maintaining the increase 'will be a lifeline to families trying to get back on their feet' and will help stop many getting into a spiral of debt;
• the temporary increase in local housing allowance (LHA) rates - the APPG would like the increase to be made permanent to prevent families facing the risk of homelessness; and
• the ban on benefit sanctions -  the APPG says that it believes the social security system needs to adapt to the new reality of a changed labour market where less opportunities may be available, and calls for work coaches to apply greater flexibility regarding conditionality.

However, the APPG says that it has also heard from speakers who raised long-standing issues with universal credit which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, including -

• how the benefit cap erodes the support people need and has meant that many people have not seen some or all of the benefit of the £20 increase to universal credit;
• that the five-week wait for universal credit is still a significant and consistent problem - the APPG comments that the government must find a way to solve this problem permanently that doesn’t involve increasing debts of claimants; and
• that support for people with mental health issues needs to be significantly improved, since aspects of the universal credit system itself leads claimants to experience poor mental health.

Commenting on the findings, APPG Chair Debbie Abrahams said -

'It is more important than ever that we make sure that universal credit is better able to meet the needs of claimants and provide the timely financial support they need while they work to get another job or start a business...

Our social security system is not fit for purpose, it is not the safety net that it’s meant to be. Evidence from charities, claimants, and academics have come together to develop pragmatic policies to improve universal credit. People need to get the help they need, when they need it.'

For more information, see Cross-party coalition of MPs call for reforms to universal credit in wake of COVID pandemic from turn2us.org.uk