This morning I forced the government to answer questions on the policies of the Department for Work and Pensions, and the failings of Universal Credit.

Below you can watch a video of the speech.

My Comments on the Government’s response

Earlier today, I debated in Parliament on the serious concerns faced by my constituents with the design, implementation and administration of Universal Credit (UC).

I called for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to halt the roll out of Universal Credit and redesign this failing system.  I asked ministers to, at very least, provide better support mechanisms and urgent escalation points to be put in place for claimants, MP’s staff and the wider advice sector to access.

Unfortunately, the DWP failed to commit to an adequate escalation process, stating that claimants would need to continue to approach their work coach at their local Jobcentre Plus office to resolve any outstanding issues with their UC claims.

But my constituents have continually raised that dealing directly with work coaches to resolve urgent issues is ineffective. They report, among many things, being wrongly advised on their entitlements, lengthy delays in resolving payment disputes and a general lack of understanding of UC regulations.

Worryingly, vulnerable constituents will be hard pressed to make frequent visits or may simply not have the means to see their work coach which would place them at a further detriment, which must be avoided at all costs.

By continuing with the roll out of Universal Credit and failing to commit to establishing a dedicated, well-staffed helpline for claimants and advice staff, the DWP have made it clear that they are instead committed to continuing to subject claimants to a brutally hostile welfare environment.