Ulster Unionist Communities Spokesperson, Andy Allen MLA, has said that the roll-out of Universal Credit should be delayed until such time as the new system actually delivers for the very people it is intended to help.

Andy Allen said:

“Welfare reform is necessary, because it is important to ensure that public money is not wasted and that benefits are channelled to those who are entitled to them. However, it is vital that the system is fair and actually lives up to its objective of supporting those most in need, as well as supporting others into work.

“Given the concerns that have been raised both in GB and in Northern Ireland it is clear to me that there are major flaws associated with this flagship project, which are having a detrimental impact on claimants.

“The roll-out of Universal Credit in Great Britain has been beset with complaints and it would surely be better to resolve these difficulties and not plunge claimants further into poverty. It is only right that the public should have confidence in the system, that it works and is fair. At the present time, that is not the case.

“Calls for the roll-out of UC to be suspended have been growing over recent weeks and therefore whem the proposal was put to Parliament, many people had hoped the Government would realise that the current situation is untenable. I was shocked that the DUP sided with the Government, and abstained from last night’s vote. The Government must take heed of the widespread concerns raised about the effectiveness of this new system.

“I do welcome the Government’s decision to scrap the charge of 55p a minute to call a Universal Credit Helpline. This was a completely unjustifiable idea, which meant that people who were already in very difficult financial circumstances had to use scarce resources on a premium rate phone line in a bid to resolve issues with their payments. This was incredibly unfair and could never be justified.”