Universal Credit
Blog: Universal Credit - the story so far
CIH policy and practice officer Sam Lister rounds up all the latest changes to Universal Credit – including some which have slipped under the radar.
Published 1 February 2019
WWHC: Universal Credit has made it ‘almost impossible’ to provide rent options
West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative (WWHC) is to consult on a proposed rent change for the forthcoming financial year but has blamed Universal Credit for not being able to provide tenants with more than one option.
Published 31 January 2019
Commons committee launches inquiry into ‘natural migration’ to Universal Credit
The UK Parliament’s work and pensions committee is today launching a new inquiry into the process by which people claiming existing benefits move onto Universal Credit if they have a change in their circumstances.
Published 23 January 2019
MP seeks 'crucial' Universal Credit reforms over domestic abuse risk
An SNP MP has urged the UK Government to accept amendments to its Domestic Abuse Bill to tackle the increased risk of financial abuse under the current Universal Credit system.
Published 22 January 2019
High Court finds DWP unlawful on Universal Credit assessments
Four working single mothers have secured a High Court victory against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for the operation of its Universal Credit benefits scheme.
Published 14 January 2019
Tory government scraps two-child benefits cap extension
The UK Government is to scrap its plans to extend a benefits cap to 15,000 families with more than two children.
Published 11 January 2019
Extra funds approved for Renfrewshire food bank after Universal Credit introduction
Renfrewshire Food Bank will receive £30,000 funding to reduce the impact of Universal Credit after councillors agreed to a new three-year financial assistance plan.
Published 6 December 2018
DWP raises awareness of Universal Credit portal for landlords and tenants
A new Universal Credit portal has been launched which allows registered social landlords and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to quickly and efficiently share information for benefit claims, continues to expand to those in the sector.
Published 27 November 2018
Govan Law Centre launches Universal Credit campaign
Govan Law Centre (GLC) has called for a new resilience strategy to challenge the adverse impact of Universal Credit in Scotland.
Published 20 November 2018
MP brings Universal Credit advice from Westminster to West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes joined housing staff from Bellsmyre and Cordale Housing Associations last week to discuss the impending roll out of Universal Credit and the impact it will have on tenants and local constituents.
Published 13 November 2018
Thousands of Scots taking advantage of Universal Credit flexibility
Almost half of those in receipt of Universal Credit in Scotland have chosen for their payments to be paid in a different way when offered the choice by the Scottish Government.
Published 1 November 2018
Committee report echoes SFHA worries over Universal Credit
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said that a House of Commons committee’s report into the “unacceptable” hardship caused by Universal Credit echoes many of its own concerns with the policy.
Published 29 October 2018
MPs call out DWP’s ‘dismissive attitude’ regarding ‘unacceptable’ hardship caused by Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has persistently dismissed evidence that Universal Credit is causing hardship for claimants and refuses to measure what it does not want to see, according to a committee of MPs.
Published 26 October 2018
Universal Credit ‘income shock’ could drive foodbank use
Foodbank provider Trussell Trust has issued a stark warning to MSPs that Universal Credit could drive in-work poverty and foodbank use.
Published 25 October 2018
Single Universal Credit payments ‘a backward step’ in tackling domestic abuse, say MPs
An influential group of MPs has urged the UK Government to scrap new Universal Credit rules which they claim make it harder for victims of domestic violence to leave abusive relationships.
Published 23 October 2018
