Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #universalCredit
Most recents (24)
Imagine being disabled to the extent where the DWP have already confirmed your inability to work and then suddenly having to go to the Job centre where a work coach who has never met you before and has no knowledge of you disability can say 'you can work now, and...1
If you don't start looking, you will be sanctioned.' Now this might seem ridiculous, but unless I'm reading it incorrectly, that is the reality of the system which the Tories are looking to introduce. I get that allowing people to try work while receiving benefits is a,,,
Good idea, however this system will punish those who absolutely have no prospect of working, the White Paper pledges that such individuals will indeed be protected, but in practice how will this happen when decisions are solely at the discretion of work coaches?It won't 3
š§µThe social security system should support us all when we face challenging times, but right now itās not covering the essentials and pushing some people into even deeper hardship.
Whatās gone wrong and what can be done about it?
#OurEssentials
Whatās gone wrong and what can be done about it?
#OurEssentials
Firstly, #UniversalCredit isnāt set according to any objective assessment of the price of essentials such as food and utilities. From April it will only be Ā£85 a week for a single adult.
Often people receive even less than that, as they face deductions from their support which are taken at unaffordable rates, for example to pay off debts to the Government.
We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but right now 90% of households receiving #UniversalCredit are going without essentials like food, utilities and vital household goods.
We canāt always deal with what life throws at us on our own, so we need to have a system that supports us all to afford the essentials while we recover from setbacks.
From April, Universal Credit will be set at Ā£85 a week for a single adult, but thereās a significant gap between this and living costs. Our research shows that in order to cover the essentials, it must be increased to at least Ā£120 a week. jrf.org.uk/report/guarantā¦
Today I witnessed @JobCentresPlus in action. It wasnāt pretty.
Firstly, my friend (I could not attend unaccompanied) & I were asked to wait. Also waiting was a man who was asking why his benefits had been sanctioned. He hadnāt got credit on his phone to ring them. 1/
Firstly, my friend (I could not attend unaccompanied) & I were asked to wait. Also waiting was a man who was asking why his benefits had been sanctioned. He hadnāt got credit on his phone to ring them. 1/
The @G4S guy said āthatās not my problemā. Also ācalm downā which we know works so well. Claimant lost his cool a bit. Heās getting Ā£150/month. Thatās all. And they cut it because he didnāt do what he āshouldā.
Meanwhile 7/8 staff were watching like it was a show. 2/
Meanwhile 7/8 staff were watching like it was a show. 2/
My name was called. āLetās get you away from the entertainmentā. I said itās not exactly entertaining though is it? I was then told that heās always there, kicking off and causing trouble. Iām sure working there leaves you jaded but no excuse for this. 3/
A story about universal credit. This month F turned 20. I was receiving Ā£880 child element & disability element plus child benefit. All that has gone. I received Ā£151 instead (they deducted Ā£50 as they state they overpaid me one month).š§¶
Will I have enough to pay for our home & all associated costs. Anxiously Iāve waited to see what sheāll receive. Gone through all the assessments for limited capability for work. Contacted welfare rights who advised me what she is entitled to. Was this all necessary? š§¶
Iām a carer to a severely disabled child. Sheās not suddenly got better. Sheās just become an adult (who lacks capacity) but Iāve had to go through all these assessments. And today, I found out how much sheāll receive Ā£265. Thatās a drop of approx Ā£559 in one month... š§¶
in 2015 the so called, dark money funded, think tank, the Tax Payers Alliance published their far right wish list for reducing the state and minimising taxes for the wealthy, this is a thread of *just* the contents!!
Why is the cost of living crisis wreaking such havoc?
On one level itās obvious: prices.
On another itās about exposure. New @jrf_uk work charts the deepening of poverty over 20 yrs. People in very deep poverty rose to 6.5m pre-pandemic.
š§µ1/11
jrf.org.uk/report/going-wā¦
On one level itās obvious: prices.
On another itās about exposure. New @jrf_uk work charts the deepening of poverty over 20 yrs. People in very deep poverty rose to 6.5m pre-pandemic.
š§µ1/11
jrf.org.uk/report/going-wā¦
We often talk about going without the essentials now, & choosing between heating & eating. But as you dive down the income distribution this experience isnāt new. Itās everyday.
The šØšØhave been flashing for some time. Foodbank use, homelessness, malnutrition in hospitalsā¦ 2/
The šØšØhave been flashing for some time. Foodbank use, homelessness, malnutrition in hospitalsā¦ 2/
Yet the poverty line has been pretty flat in recent decades. Whatās going on? We show how poverty has been deepening.
Very deep poverty has increased more than a fifth over the best past of 20 years 3/
Very deep poverty has increased more than a fifth over the best past of 20 years 3/
I was feeling smug that I might finally have sent the #UniversalCredit wanks off to think on my feedback but then I noticed it was 5pm and theyāve probably just logged off instead. Mandatory reconsideration made no difference though at least they decided quickly this time.
So now I get to wait 6 months for an appeal to go to tribunal. Iāve got the local disabled support group and maybe citizenās advice to help, but probably donāt need to double up. Still, the āfairyland says unicorns exist so jobhunt through your suicidal anxietyā part, um, no.
Unicorns being the job and/or employer that will take my anxious, overwhelmed autistic brain that freezes in the face of any rudeness, they donāt like that cos they canāt improve themselves or accommodate me, of course. Or my canāt walk, stand, bend or lift much 22-year back pain
Tomorrow I receive my #UniversalCredit twice a month I receive Ā£293.00. I have a shortfall in #HousingCrisis of Ā£54 per month , paid my bills . I have bought Ā£14 of food. I now have Ā£6.21 left until 6th June . #DUP get back and form an executive .
I also just remembered my next #UC will have to be used for oil . I rely on friends and my 68 yr old father . Im also disabled and had to return my #motability car as I could not pay for fuel. My car gave my some freedom . Since #covid my anxiety is unbearable @RobinSwannMoH
So I reached out to @CommunitiesNI for support . However money for people in crisis is needed now. I have to wait up to 10 days for a call not for money . #DUP get back to work #UniversalCredit #Westminster
As a #Disabled single parent on #UniversalCredit I desperately needed the #SpringStatement2022 to provide some sort of relief from the #CostOfLivingCrisis we're facing.
It doesn't...
š§µ
It doesn't...
š§µ
If I use 15L of petrol/diesel in a week I can expect to be 75p a week better off?
It makes little impact when petrol is up ~50p a litre since the pandemic/Brexit.
75p cut, vs. a Ā£7.50 increase? It's meaningless.
I need a lot more to get by than 75p a week!
2.
It makes little impact when petrol is up ~50p a litre since the pandemic/Brexit.
75p cut, vs. a Ā£7.50 increase? It's meaningless.
I need a lot more to get by than 75p a week!
2.
Then there's the doubling of the #HouseholdSupportFund - that's a discretionary. You have to plead with the council for it.
You have to set out why you, specifically, are failing to cope on benefits and deliver your full bank statement for scrutiny so they can criticise you.
3.
You have to set out why you, specifically, are failing to cope on benefits and deliver your full bank statement for scrutiny so they can criticise you.
3.
šTIME FOR ACTION
The #CostOfLivingCrisis is hitting people of all ages and backgrounds. We and Brighton's Emergency Food Network have had enough. We have sent a letter to national gov with 12 emergency action points
š§µ
Read our full statement here: bhfood.org.uk/wp-content/uplā¦
The #CostOfLivingCrisis is hitting people of all ages and backgrounds. We and Brighton's Emergency Food Network have had enough. We have sent a letter to national gov with 12 emergency action points
š§µ
Read our full statement here: bhfood.org.uk/wp-content/uplā¦
šØ 1 - The uplift in benefits that is tabled for the Spring Budget is in line with the true cost of #inflation
We need an increase of 7% or higher, not the outdated 3.1% tabled from data produced last September
We need an increase of 7% or higher, not the outdated 3.1% tabled from data produced last September
šØ 2 - the Ā£20 #UniversalCredit uplift is removed
Household costs have not reduced since the pandemic, in fact they are increasing. The Universal Credit uplift being removed is leaving families with LESS than before.
Household costs have not reduced since the pandemic, in fact they are increasing. The Universal Credit uplift being removed is leaving families with LESS than before.
I've been interviewing people using #FoodBanks about the circumstances that have led them there & the impact on their #MentalHealth
In a new @IFAN_UK & @jrf_uk report, out today & covered by @BigIssue, I describe what I heard - here are the headlines š§µ bigissue.com/news/social-juā¦
In a new @IFAN_UK & @jrf_uk report, out today & covered by @BigIssue, I describe what I heard - here are the headlines š§µ bigissue.com/news/social-juā¦
Everyone I spoke to described experiencing some feelings of shame & embarrassment about using a food bank, particularly on their first visit. Many had put off seeking support that they desperately needed because of the stigma associated with poverty & accessing food aid. 2/10
Peopleās circumstances were complex & personal but the underlying reason for needing food aid was simple & universal: their income (primarily from benefits but sometimes from wages too) was inadequate to make ends meet, particularly after the Ā£20-a-week #UniversalCredit cut. 3/10
Looking forward to what should be a very timely discussion on the IFS's latest research geographic inequalities in labour market outcomes & how this may present challenges for the Govt's #LevellingUp agenda #IFSEvents
First @PJTheEconomist and the @NuffieldFound's @markfranks give a brief overview of the IFS #DeatonReview into inequalities, and why the Nuffield Foundation gave the review its financial support #IFSEvents
Franks recognises that #LevellingUp will only be delivered if we focus on multiple factors of #inequalities - age, gender, education, public services, jobs - not just place #IFSEvents
š¬ Welcome to JRFās #AskAnAnalyst Q&A session š¬
Our analysts will be answering your questions on the data behind our #UKPoverty2022 report.
You can read the report in full, here: jrf.org.uk/report/uk-poveā¦
Our analysts will be answering your questions on the data behind our #UKPoverty2022 report.
You can read the report in full, here: jrf.org.uk/report/uk-poveā¦
First up we have a question from @Thomas_WilsonUK on pensioner poverty š We also received a similar question from Ellie Gaddes from @IndependentAge
.@GemmaSchwendel's answer:
"The rise in pensioner poverty is concerning, and we think it is being driven in part by increased housing costs, particularly for those in rented accommodation...
"The rise in pensioner poverty is concerning, and we think it is being driven in part by increased housing costs, particularly for those in rented accommodation...
Figures from our #UKPoverty2022 report warn of a harmful legacy, with half a million more children sinking into very deep poverty.
Threadš§µš
jrf.org.uk/report/uk-poveā¦
Threadš§µš
jrf.org.uk/report/uk-poveā¦
Our state of the nation report into poverty in the UK reveals that 1.8 million children are growing up in very deep poverty, meaning family incomes are so low that they are completely inadequate to cover the basics.
Large numbers of children were living on low incomes for prolonged periods of time in the years running up the pandemic.
For many young children, this persistence of poverty means going without essentials is all they have ever known or can remember
For many young children, this persistence of poverty means going without essentials is all they have ever known or can remember
I read this š§µfrom @MrMarkEThomas + the attached articles very late last night.
Iād heard of the #SovereignIndividual before but had no idea of itās full horror.
I was so shocked I could not sleep.
āļøYOU SIMPLY MUST READ ITāļø
@13sarahmurphy @RichardJMurphy @DeborahMeaden
1/4
Iād heard of the #SovereignIndividual before but had no idea of itās full horror.
I was so shocked I could not sleep.
āļøYOU SIMPLY MUST READ ITāļø
@13sarahmurphy @RichardJMurphy @DeborahMeaden
1/4
It explains EVERYTHINGā¦.from #Brexit through the #UniversalCredit cut (because thatās what it really is), #FreeSchoolMeals debacle, #PPECorruption /VIP lanes to the catastrophic mishandling #Covid19UK & EVERYTHING in between.
@BorisJohnson @10DowningStreet @Conservatives
2/
@BorisJohnson @10DowningStreet @Conservatives
2/
We are in very grave danger!
WE MUST WAKE UP to the reality of what is going on under our noses.
Our egomaniacal clown PM is not just fulfilling his own dream of being #KingOfTheWorld, he is a very willing puppet for darker, smarter, more evil forces.
@MrKennethClarke
3/
WE MUST WAKE UP to the reality of what is going on under our noses.
Our egomaniacal clown PM is not just fulfilling his own dream of being #KingOfTheWorld, he is a very willing puppet for darker, smarter, more evil forces.
@MrKennethClarke
3/
Budget 2021: what does it mean for low-income families?
A thread šš§µ
jrf.org.uk/blog/does-budgā¦
A thread šš§µ
jrf.org.uk/blog/does-budgā¦
šOur analysis shows that households able to work the most hours gain the most from the National Living Wage rising and changes to the #UniversalCredit taper and work allowance.
āHowever, rising living costs wipe out most of these gains
āHowever, rising living costs wipe out most of these gains
A couple with two young children, with one parent working full-time and one working part-time will be better off by Ā£7 per week
āš·7ā£
āš·7ā£
Changes to #UniversalCredit in #Budget2021 see the loss of Ā£20 (#KeepTheLifeline) "mitigated" with a reduction in the UC "taper rate" from 63p to 55p.
Let's look at what that means, who that helps and who that hurts.
#poverty #ukpolitics #benefits #UKPoverty #foodbanks
1.
Let's look at what that means, who that helps and who that hurts.
#poverty #ukpolitics #benefits #UKPoverty #foodbanks
1.
It means that now instead of 63p being deducted from Universal Credit for every Ā£1 earned, only 55p will be. Meaning claimants in work are 8p better off per Ā£1 wages earned.
That offsets that Ā£20 for some. Who though? How many 8p's are needed to reach Ā£20?
2.
That offsets that Ā£20 for some. Who though? How many 8p's are needed to reach Ā£20?
2.
It's actually Ā£250 that is needed in wages every month, to offset the Ā£20 cut. Or to put it another way, that's 59h work a month on the apprentice minimum wage, or 29h on the min wage over 23.
At age 23, if you work 7h a week you should be better off with the new rates?
3.
At age 23, if you work 7h a week you should be better off with the new rates?
3.
It feels to me that @RishiSunak needs some help getting the economy back on track.
Ahead of the autumn #budget2021, I've busted some economic myths he seems to believe...
š§µš
Myth 1ļøā£ : We are well on our way to recovery with the fastest growth in the G7.
Ahead of the autumn #budget2021, I've busted some economic myths he seems to believe...
š§µš
Myth 1ļøā£ : We are well on our way to recovery with the fastest growth in the G7.
Busted: Our economy was one of the worst hit, so we are growing from a low base. The IMF says our economy is still 5% below its pre-pandemic path. & our economy is projected to lag behind all G7 countries in 2024.
Myth 2ļøā£: We need to start balancing the books because we canāt afford to borrow any more.
Busted: Our debt level is high, but what matters is the cost of financing this debt. At 6% of tax receipts, the cost of servicing the debt is the second lowest itās been since WWII.
Busted: Our debt level is high, but what matters is the cost of financing this debt. At 6% of tax receipts, the cost of servicing the debt is the second lowest itās been since WWII.
There are many layers to the #Covid19UK human catastrophe but IMO itās all DELIBERATE @mrjamesob
Not even @BorisJohnson is so ignorant that he canāt understand the seriousness of what is currently unfolding.
The crux is - HE WANTS IT TO HAPPEN!
@sajidjavid @JonAshworth
1/š§µ
Not even @BorisJohnson is so ignorant that he canāt understand the seriousness of what is currently unfolding.
The crux is - HE WANTS IT TO HAPPEN!
@sajidjavid @JonAshworth
1/š§µ
If you were looking for the perfect foil for the #BrexitShambles & #NHSPrivatisation in one fell swoop AND you wanted to divert attention from the cronyism & corruption being uncovered every single dayā¦.youād create as much chaos, fear & desperation as possibleā¦.
2/
2/
ā¦.carefully positioning your scapegoats (the EU/drs/nurses/teachers/refugeesā¦.
Youād allow #COVIDDisinformation to run riot, including from the @UKHSA (& conveniently replace #PHE), whilst churning out a #COVIDisOver narrative through a compliant media.
3/
Youād allow #COVIDDisinformation to run riot, including from the @UKHSA (& conveniently replace #PHE), whilst churning out a #COVIDisOver narrative through a compliant media.
3/
People are being forced to submit photos of themselves holding a local daily paper in order to claim universal credit. One organisation supporting a claimant compared the demands to āwhat kidnappers doā bigissue.com/news/social-juā¦
The instructions are being posted in online universal credit accounts and also tell claimants to have someone else photograph them stood outside their front door ā which must be open ā with the whole property visible
Claimants were not told what they should do if they did not have access to a smart phone, could not get another personās help to take the photos in the time given, could not reach their street sign, if a daily paper was not published in their area or if they could not afford one
Shortages of food, fuel and essentials. Rising costs of food and energy. Taxes going up. People in #Bristol West are seriously worried about the future. So what would Labour do differently? THREAD
The government lurches from crisis to crisis and has no plan to deal with problems as they pile up.
Take the shortage in lorry drivers, causing food and fuel shortages.
Take the shortage in lorry drivers, causing food and fuel shortages.
Over the last couple of weeks, ministers first denied there was a problem, then tried to blame the public for panic buying, and now they say that this chaos is the intended outcome of their failed Brexit deal.
I didn't sleep last night and I haven't settled yet tonight either.
I'm fairly sad for me about the #UniversalCredit cut, but the weight of the sadness for others is vast.
It's similar to getting the news someone you know is terminally ill.
Deaths are coming. 100% sure.
1/
I'm fairly sad for me about the #UniversalCredit cut, but the weight of the sadness for others is vast.
It's similar to getting the news someone you know is terminally ill.
Deaths are coming. 100% sure.
1/
It'll be lonely middle age men, isolated from their last few pleasures in life, by a whacking cut in their income and a whacking rise in their essential bills all at once.
Someone's brother. Someone's Dad.
2/
Someone's brother. Someone's Dad.
2/
It'll be keyworkers, subsumed in months of grinding, constant stress, no longer able to handle the abuse on the petrol station forecourts, or the snappy managers, as burried in it all as they are, and it'll be that last fucking Starbucks they were 30p short for that'll do it.
3/
3/
šØNEW:
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, one of the richest MPs, plans to cut Universal Credit by Ā£20, we're #KeepingTheReceipts on twitter/TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMR9YK6FG/
Subscribe to our Substack for daily updates from
@receiptkeepers and our weekly newsletter:
keepingthereceipts.substack.com
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, one of the richest MPs, plans to cut Universal Credit by Ā£20, we're #KeepingTheReceipts on twitter/TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMR9YK6FG/
Subscribe to our Substack for daily updates from
@receiptkeepers and our weekly newsletter:
keepingthereceipts.substack.com
Is the Secretary for Work and Pensions ThĆ©rĆØse Coffey unaware that lots of people on #UniversalCredit already work themselves to the bone and still can't make ends meet?
And that it actually would take up to 9 extra working hours for #UniversalCredit claimants to recoup their Ā£20-a-week benefit cut? And that this cut is predicted to plunge half a million more people into poverty, including 200,000 children?
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politiā¦
independent.co.uk/news/uk/politiā¦
