To ask you to watch Panorama re Universal Credit

[longwayoff]

God, this looks grim already. Look what we're allowing to happen.

That's ok glad I could help

I don't understand why they are putting people who get wtc on to it. Clearly they are already working.

The way we work means we have no childcare costs. But if they get on at us to both work full time and pay for childcare then I would stop claiming the tax credits.

Some people need top ups even when working, my wage covers my rent, (only £30/month over the LHA rate) and my childcare, without the top up I have no money for bills or food, literally. I currently get £580 WTC to top up and half goes on bills and half on food and clothes and other stuff. On UC I would get £1065 per month, except I am not in a full service area yet. Just had to apply for HB as the WTC just got reduced from £800 leaving me slightly short at the end of this month.

This is scary. I predict food bank usage will increase

Work always pays better in the long run
It really, really, doesn't.

I have just watched it an it was encouraging to see the family getting sorted out.(dad working and mum now in work} so from their point of view it looked a ball ache but ok in the end
Easier when there are two people capable of work and joint responsibility for childcare. Tell that to the single mums who have to find childcare in the holidays (I don't know one childminder or nursery open over the Christmas 2 weeks), and on Saturdays and Sundays, and in the evening.

When you are on your own nothing works out in the end. You are trapped. Would I rather be trapped in a low paid job where I am terrified of being off sick or the children are being ill and constantly worrying who will have them next month and if I can afford the childcare, or would I rather be trapped and at home with them, able to do the school runs and know that my rent is paid?

There is no ideal. They system is against the most vulnerable. There is no room for if it doesn't work-previously there was a rapid reclaim system where you could return within 26 weeks if you couldn't cope.

Provide single parents with jobs where the hours are compatible with childcare, ensure that childcare is suitable for children of all ages and those with special needs, and you have a system which works. Only then will work pay.

I wonder if the despicable tories have considered that people will just stop having children rather than risk them coming into such a harsh uncaring world. This would deprive them of a future workforce, something they desperately need to ensure their carefree lives run smoothly.

I wonder if the Tories have considered that people will just stop having children

Actually it would help a lot of people. They wouldn't need to worry about childcare and could take many different jobs.

This would deprive them of a future workforce,

No it wouldn't.

Maybe people SHOULD stop having children if they unlikely to have any job where they can reasonably support them.

UC is disgusting but so is people punching out 6 children and expecting the state to pick up the tab

Why would it not cupboard?

Immigration

StylishMummy not one person on that program had 6 kids- don’t buy into the daily mail hate

Babyroobs according to the BBC Radio 4 'You and Yours' report, many people who were advised to tick 'box K -JSA' on their prescriptions forms were still sent charges and fines. Even cases where the Pharmacist had written on the form that they had been given evidence of the UC payments, people were still receiving charges and fines.

At least 2 of the people on that programme had no kids.

Don’t know which programme you were watching.

im on ESA support group and waiting for a medical appointment, i m worrying as what if the ive failed, does that mean i have to claim UC and look for work

im sure somebody said i can appeal but even if i won i would stay on UC,which seems unfair

i have a 12yr old (single parent( and son that comes back from uni in the holidays

also after reading about the lady walking miles to the clothes bank how do you find out your nearest,i normaly drop at the charity shop but this seems more worthwhile and i have some really nice older teen things i would love to donate and im guessing in real need of

thanks

I was really touched by Anthony Smith the 65 yo who is about to be evicted for non payment of rent - £4000! He didn't pay the rent because UC payments were only paid at £500 pm. The rent is £500 so how's he supposed to eat? I'd be quite happy to chip into a crowdfunding fund, and have written to Panorama to see if there is one.

StylishMummy do some research before you embarrass yourself in public.
There are very few families with more than three children on benefits, apart from which you can work and still be in receipt of some benefits.

But a crowd funding to pay his arrears is not helpful, yes he would stay there until the next time he gets into £4k arrears because he can't pay the rent because they will not give him enough UC, what is needed is action, by the government to make sure he can pay his rent, and not just him, all the 18-24 year olds that are given less UC than a 25+ because they get the shared accomadation rate and the lower rate

Universal credit will NOT stop people having children. Most of the larger families are at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. People, being poorer need gratification in ways money cannot buy. Things like sex (if you need to enjoy yourself because you're miserable contraception won't be your main concern), and having babies will give poor women pleasures because they are unlikely to get them in other ways such as by having a nice home, nice clothes or work success.
The threat of poverty doesn't stop people conceiving. Look at the world data. Countries such as India and parts of Africa becoming richer has reduced the birth rate not increased it.

Singlenotsingle thats a great idea, poor man, would you come back to this page with update?

@TheCupboardundertheStairs has just accused me of scaremongering on another thread for mentioning UC and prescriptions.

Ive seen it for myself though People have been charged astronomical amounts even though they have ticked the form as told.

I'm on ESA. I am being asked for £52 pounds by the NHS as a fine for ticking the wrong box. I am appealing. If I don't appeal within the specified period the fine will increase. Apparently they can find no proof of me being on ESA. I will be asking about my NI number, surely that's reference enough.
Helena I often get accused of scaremongering. It's because they don't want to face the truth, they may have to break old habits and stop judging folk if they do!

UC started back in 2013

The NHS have had five years to sort the prescription forms FIVE YEARS.

its beginning to look like they are using the situation with UC claimants to make money!