To ask how people will cope with Universal credit cut.

[ponyexpress22]

Surely they aren't going ahead with cutting it by £20 a week? I'm shocked that the government could stoop this low. What the hell are they doing.

@MrsRobbieHart

I get UC and got a message on my journal today telling me this month is the last month I will get the £20/week uplift payment. So they are very much going ahead with it.

Same.. add benefit cap / deductions and so on aswell and we may as well not bother..

They said from the beginning that it would be a temporary uplift. They meant it.

I don’t know why anyone is surprised by this. The tories aren’t exactly known for their willingness to give more money to poor people.

@Horst

It was always going to be stopped. Nobody else got any extra, yes tax credits for a lump Of £500 but that’s still less than what UC got and many more on old legacy benefits got nothing at all.

Old legacy benefits seem to amount to more than people on UC

Essentially… sucks to be you.

I am another one who doesn't think it is a cut, it was only ever going to be temporary.

What I do think they should be looking into, is putting benefits up though, especially with prices going through the roof and the new NI tax which is going to force those on the breadline into poverty (no doubt the Tory party will fudge these figures again) people are going to be really struggling and due to the great hachet job, the government, the media and certain tv shows have done to those on benefits, people still think that you get enough money to buy a flat screen tv every other week, have a goat in your 7 bed mansion, that the council pays for and get replacement carpets once a frigging year.

@CiaoForNiao

The same way they coped before the uplift... debt, foodbanks, poverty, going without.

I must say I agree with the above.

I am working and affected by the uplift. People were warned this was only temporary due to C-19 and survived before this uplift.

I can't personally understand the outrage but I will happily listen to people that disagree and will willingly try to understand and learn why this outrage exists.

With great difficulty. Since the uplift was granted, food prices have rocketed, NI is being increased and where I am, the gas supplier has announced a 35% price rise just as we approach winter. The gas customers affected can not change supplier.

It's all very well saying people will have to tighten their belts, but for many, their belts are already as tight as they can be. A lot of people are going to be fucked this winter.

It was always said that it was a temporary thing.

It's annoying, yes. But the people receiving it should've known it wasn't forever.

We get a small amount each month- generally around the £100 mark but it varies. We'll notice the difference, but we'll be okay. I can see why those in different circumstances will struggle!

@Iheartbaby

I hope it’s stopped, no one has given me £20 a week more.

Nobody gave me an extra £20 pw either. I don't mind though - I didn't need it and I cannot bear the thought of human beings going hungry.

@BigThumb

Some of the comments on here are proof of how well the governments little tricks work to redirect anger and hate. People begrudging people £20 a week just because they don’t get the same. People who are clearly happy that struggling people are going to struggle more now just because they didn’t get the £20 themselves.

And to the silly buggers who think the extra £20 a week was because the government care - its because a lot of their benefit hating voters suddenly found they needed UC when COVID took their jobs and they had to keep up the illusion that everyone on benefits lives a comfortable life.

Well said.

A lot of people are going to be fucked this winter

Just a reminder on this for anyone who might be struggling, make sure you check your gas supplier for the warm home discount, that you might be able to get, they normally open applications about now

I think the main problem is that £20 is nothing to the decision makers. They simply cannot comprehend that to some people £20 is an awful lot of money.

@Okbye

It was always said that it was a temporary thing.

It's annoying, yes. But the people receiving it should've known it wasn't forever.

Temporary, yes. Why now though? When COVID is still rife and affecting peoples jobs? When NI is going up? And food prices, fuel, electricity and gas? Why do they kick people when they are down?

Because they know that people like the ones on here clapping their hands with glee will be pleased with it. They’ll redirect their attention from their own NI going up to the fact that at least Joe Bloggs on UC will lose more money than they will.

So silly.

Well while the masses keep voting for a party that prioritises making the rich richer by shitting on everyone else, this shit will carry on.

They said from the beginning that it would be a temporary uplift. They meant it.
This! This £20 a week as not something they did because they thought UC was too low but because of an assumption that most would face difficulties during covid. It was always made very clear.

Yet here we go. Instead of being grateful for it for that long of a time, many who didn't see any additional costs during that period, some even found themselves better off, but no, some people still want want want and of course took that extra for granted and are now moaning because it ends.

Some people are just so entitled by nature and never satisfied. It's quite depressing really.

Why did they give you an extra £20 a week for 18 months then if they didn't care?

Pressure from various agencies and groups about the financial impact covid was having on low income groups, pressure from whole who were previously employed and when they had to claim UC very quickly realised how paltry it was, pressure from pretty much everyone to get their finger out and support people through the crisis, pressure all round basically.

It's all a bit like school meals being expected to be funded during holidays; they do it a couple of times and folk start to think it'll always be the same, and so it goes on

Imagine begrudging children being fed, particularly children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Some people are just so entitled by nature and never satisfied

Yeah, right on! Fuck all those entitled fuckers expecting luxuries like food and heating.

People will receive £20 less a week. Whether it was designed as being temporary or permanent, they will have less income per week, ergo, their income has taken a cut.

This is when the price of basic necessities is going through the roof, as a combination of worldwide shortages, and supply chain issues as a result of both pandemic and Brexit. Ditto, with power, going into winter. So food and heating are going to become luxuries for many. Going into winter, in the middle of a pandemic.

NI increase of 1.25%. So, for nurses (there goes 1.25 of their 2%, was it? increase), teachers, police, council workers, - all essential workers, who had 0%. Far too many of these people who do amazing work, are already reliant on the generosity of strangers - foodbanks etc.

Our income is going to drop by over £25 a week due to NI increase. We do have the luxury of being able to 'tighten our belts.

I'm at a loss at what despair some/many/most of those who are reliant on UC must be feeling. If people are already skipping meals, not heating their homes (which are often rundown stock that's a bugger to keep warm and dry at the best of times, if it is at all possible), not showering daily - what else is to give?

@TheOnlyMrsM

I think the main problem is that £20 is nothing to the decision makers. They simply cannot comprehend that to some people £20 is an awful lot of money.

Or perhaps some realise all too well even though it is beyond their personal experience, but just do not care - rather like a number of posters and voters on this thread.

There was a select committee yesterday where some claimants gave evidence, trying to make the case for keeping it. Worth a watch

www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/00398db4-8c99-40c2-9c58-edf5c189d1b7

Prices have gone up SO much because of Brexit and Covid people can't afford food

They NEED to keep it

We are told there are staff shortges everywhere now. Lorry drivers, retail. hospitality, warehouses, etc. Some of these jobs (apart from lorry drivers) are low skilled. So if physically fit (and instead of being on benefit or a low wage and claiming UC at the tax payer's expense) people should be doing what they would have to do in the USA where there is no welfare state. Whats that? Work 2/3 jobs to provide for themselves or find a better paying job rather than looking for subs and handouts.

@simitra plenty of people on UC already work full time or have 2/3 jobs. Are you seriously saying we should follow America's lead? Their approach to welfare and healthcare is shameful.

I got a job that started on Monday..it's part time, but makes up the difference. It's not ideal as I'm going through the diagnosis process as my mobility has reduced massively and I'm in pain permanently. The job is making me a lot worse, but if I can just get through it long enough till I get a diagnosis, I can see if there's any help available for me.

I hate that working makes me worse. It's fucking miserable tbh.