Universal Credits- a new nightmare

You have to laugh (slightly bitterly) Jen that they are still trying to convince people that their governments have not presided over a complete economic failure. In the past they tried to convince people it was not them it was the unions - were the unions in government - no!

That time it was the people of the industries of the north that were 'punished'. This time it is the poor and disabled. I cannot see how anyone can back the decisions this government makes and it sounds as if even some MPs who call themselves Tory are beginning to question their methods.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/19/universal-credit-pilot-cathy-come-home-newcastle-housing-crisis

The government has said it would now study universal credit, so I heard on the radio this morning.
What have they been doing up to now, looking the other way while all these stories have been told?
Blocking their ears up in the House of Commons whenever an MP tells them about problems with the roll-out and the number of people in rent arrears, and using foodbanks etc., because of it?

Like you say, GracesGran, it's now the poor and vulnerable paying for this government's economic failure and mismanagement.

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/16/universal-credit-rent-arrears-soar

This article is a month old.
Did they not study this?

www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2017/oct/21/phone-dwp-universal-credit-benefits-heartache

I feel really sorry for this person. She says that they are told to put people on hold!!!!

I also wonder how many people who now work for the benefits system will be made redundant after universal credit has been rolled out. If the idea is to cost the government less to implement the system, then it will obviously mean fewer people working in it.

We have been told about the 'low unemployment figures' for so long and many have commented that the jobs were not anything that could be compared with jobs of the past.

It appears that Universal Credit is just about to shoot this much vaunted boast in the foot (if a boast can have a foot) Many of the people who have become employed are actually registered as self-employed - but that still brings the figures down. Many of them do not earn a regular amount but have been able to claim working tax credits to make up for the low incomes they achieve.

As they are moved into UC they will have to have achieved a 'minimum income floor' to show they have 'consistently' earned the minimum income to receive a full months entitlement.

The tax credit for the self-employed was really helpful for those setting up businesses but the Tories allowed it to used to also boost the employment figures and subsidise employers.

Some 'employees' were moved into self-employment by their 'employers' and therefore the employers not have to pay the minimum wage. The tax payer picked up the difference and the employee could do nothing if they wanted to keep what employment they had. Employers got rich (good Tories!) while the tax payer helped them do so and the employees employment became even poorer paid and very insecure.

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/hidden-universal-credit-clause-threatens-further-scandal-for-governments-welfare-reform/ar-AAtO9Km?li=AAmiR2Z&ocid=spartanntp

All those taxi drivers in London, Uber, were on that list, GracesGran. Uber were challenged about it and it's still going through appeal, I think.
I presume all the other ones in different parts of the country are classed as self-employed, too.

Have you read this, GracesGran? Quite scary.

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2017/10/22/the-connection-between-universal-credit-ordeals-and-experiments-that-electrocute-laboratory-rats/

Oh my. I read it knowing I knew it before I read it but it does bring the whole thing together doesn't it in a very, very scary way.

Sadly those who should read it probably won't.

Like lots of information we put on here, GracesGran. Some people just don't want to know.

"The Nuffield Foundation is an endowed charitable
trust that aims to improve social well-being in
the widest sense. It funds research and innovation
in education and social policy and also works to
build capacity in education, science and social
science research. "

Would you call this irony.

The bit on time inconsistency is interesting, considering that Hertfordshire NHS has decided to indefinitely postpone elective operations for people who are obese or who will not give up smoking. That's not really a nudge, is it?

"Johnny Mercer, who was among a group of Tory MPs to meet Mrs May over Universal Credit last week, called the benefit a major tool in tackling poverty and said it was working in getting people into employment.

"I think the phone number was a bit of an error, really, and the seven-day wait that's built in, making it six weeks before someone gets their first payment, I think is quite difficult to ask people to do," he told Sunday with Paterson on Sky News.

"My concerns around this have always been the same, particularly the two issues that I've just mentioned to you there.

"And yes, we have seen movement on the phone line, which is good, we may see movement on four to six weeks, no one has given me that steer, but at the end of the day this is a modern, compassionate Conservative Party that wants to get these things right."

He refused to be drawn on any assurances he had been given during his meeting with Mrs May, saying it was a private meeting."

From the Yorkshire Post.
Excuse me while I go off to be sick.

This is much better.

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Makes much more sense.

Just to follow up on the change in Capitalism over recent years, it appears the Financial Times is giving the idea space.Top UK business leaders decry current state of capitalism This may not take you to the article - I was having difficulty with it but if you google the title + Financial Times you should be able to see it.

Love the idea that they are "modern and compassionate". Other than a few empty words by Theresa May I see no signs of compassion whatsoever.

I heard the Tory person on DP say that Jess - have they learned nothing from the May election. People just laugh if you say silly things.

That was Johnny Mercer, GracesGran. Obviously he has that as his mantra. Just hope that not too many people ask him on their programmes.

He didn't seem to have a lot other than mantras Jen. I just kept thinking "poor man" which is not, I think, what he would be hoping for.

I should think not, GracesGran, being an ex army captain.
Wouldn't want anyone to feel sorry for him.

Even Iain Duncan Smith has joined the rebels on this, saying that the six weeks waiting time was never their intention; it was brought in by the Treasury.

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/oct/22/backbench-tories-universal-credit-climbdown-theresa-may

Don't feel sorry for him, though, either.

According to the Guardian it looks as if there will be a debate about UC>
(John) " Bercow said he was satisfied the matter should be discussed in parliament again, with Peter Bone, a Conservative MP, joining opposition MPs in standing in support of Labour’s application."

Hopefully they will reduce the waiting time, which I have never understood.
It is said to prepare people for being paid monthly.
What I don't understand is that when starting a new job, I was always paid on the day that was the employer's "payday". So If I started a job say, on the 1st of the month and payday was say 15th of the month, I would be paid on the 15th, not one month or six weeks after I started, not tailored to my particular starting date.
So to make UC mimic the workplace, wouldn't it be more realistic to say "UC is paid out to everybody on x day of the month"
Sorry if this is a bit garbled.

It's on now, Ilovecheese. Can be watched on the parliament channel.

Not many Tories there. Gawke hasn't even turned up, and given no reason for not being there.

IT not doing what it is supposed to do. IT needs to be sorted out - endless delays mistakes and errors.

Only two people on the government front bench listening to it. Just shows contempt for people and parliament again.

Should David Gauke be sanctioned?
If anyone trying to claim benefits doesn't turn up for work, they would be.