DWP Plotting 'Secret' Universal Credit Plans - Labour MP

A Labour MP has claimed that the government is "keeping under wraps" plans to make people who lose their jobs wait five weeks before they get any benefit payment under universal credit. Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West and Royton, says the plans are being kept secret by the government in the run up to the next general election but they are "hidden in the small print" of the rules for the controversial new benefit system. Mr Meacher says the impact of a five-week wait will be "devastating" for anyone who loses their job as they will be unable to get help to cover rent, mortgage, food or fuel bills. Read more on 24dash.

Universal Credit: The Benefit Cut for Workers That Has ‘Escaped Notice’

A Labour MP has hit out at plans to dock the benefits of workers under Universal Credit which he says has almost “escaped notice”.  Michael Meacher, Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, was citing research by the Resolution Foundation which estimates that nearly 1.2 million working adults will face losing some of their benefits under Universal Credit if they do not comply with new requirements to work longer hours, find an additional job or seek higher wages.  Under UC, the criteria of 16 and 24 hours per/week for working tax credit eligibility will be scrapped and claimants will gain entitlement to an appropriate amount of in-work support for working any number of hours.  Under the new system any claimant of working benefits is required to meet an earnings threshold equal to national minimum pay rates for a 35-hour week, to be earned if necessary through such combined measures as working longer hours, getting their employer to increase their hourly wage or getting an additional job on top of what they were already working.  Download a copy of the report from the Research Foundation’s website.