The Greater Manchester Law Centre supports Unite Community in its campaign to stop Universal Credit and to demand a supportive social security system that is fair and treats people in a humane way.
Read on for more information about Unite Community’s campaign.
“The government claim Universal Credit (UC) will make things better for claimants but where it has already been rolled out it’s been plagued with problems that are pushing more people into poverty.
“It has caused tens of thousands of people to fall into debt, rent arrears, and to become reliant on food banks.
“The loss of free school meals during the holidays adds between £30 and £40 a week to parents outgoings. Families with children are more likely to fall into crises and make up over half of people at foodbanks.
“More than 80 per cent of families with children at foodbanks were classed as severely food insecure (meaning they had skipped meals gone without eating, sometimes for days at a time) because of a lack of money.
“Despite huge flaws in the system the government continued to push ahead with rolling out Universal Credit to more claimants.” – Unite Community
Unite Community’s five reasons why Universal Credit must be stopped:
- Unbearably long waiting time for claimants’ first payment
- Claimants forced to make their claim online – many struggle or just don’t have access (read more about the GMLC’s campaign against digitalisation here)
- Counter-productive sanctions that cause unnecessary suffering
- Families at risk of homelessness as UC causes them to get into rent arrears
- Cuts hurting children and disabled people
Unite The Union wants Universal Credit stopped and scraped as it’s not fit for purpose. Unite demands a social security system that is fair and treats people in a humane way.
Get help
To find out what benefits you’re entitled to or for further help or information on Universal Credit visit Turn2us – a national charity that helps people gain access to welfare benefits and support services.
Email your MP and tell them if you’ve been affected by Universal Credit. You can look up your MP here
Tell Unite Community your story
Have you been affected by Universal Credit? If you would like to speak to Unite about your experience of Universal Credit please contact Liane.groves@unitetheunion.org
