Benefits

Tory austerity destroys lives for ideological reasons, says UN official

"What I saw is a lot of misery. A lot of people feel the system is failing them. They feel the system is there just to punish them,” said the UN's Philip Alston

Report from MPs slams ‘pointlessly cruel’ benefit sanctions

A damning report slammed the government’s brutal benefit sanctions regime. It said the human cost of sanctions, where benefits are withheld, is “simply too high” and “pointlessly cruel”.

‘Fortress mentality’ means Tories ignore ‘unacceptable hardship’ of Universal Credit

The Tories’ hated Universal Credit benefit is causing “unacceptable hardship and difficulties” for many claimants, according to a new report from MPs.

Tories partially retreat on Universal Credit amid outrage and fears of ‘riots’

The Tories are under pressure over their hated Universal Credit (UC) benefit. They were last week forced to delay the rollout of UC from next year to 2020.

Benefit sanctions leave people "suicidal", scared and homeless, finds study

Benefit sanctions are “life threatening” for some disabled claimants, according to a new study. And the constant threat of sanctions leaves many “living in a state of constant anxiety”.

‘Benefits regime pushed me to the edge’

The Tories’ rollout of Universal Credit has driven thousands of working class people into hunger, homelessness and debt—and some to death. People living through the war on benefits told Sadie Robinson why it should be scrapped

Woman on benefits says—‘Tory benefit cuts forced me to starve’

09 October 2018
The Universal Credit benefits regime has to be scrapped

Tories plan to snatch hundreds of pounds from parents

06 October 2018
Millions of families are set to lose £200 a month under the next phase of the Universal Credit (UC) benefit system.

Universal Credit is harmful, admit call centre workers

23 July 2018
Former benefits workers have spoken out against Universal Credit (UC).

Tory minister caught out over Universal Credit lies

05 July 2018
Campaigners are calling for Tory minister Esther McVey to resign after it emerged that she misled parliament over the hated Universal Credit (UC) benefit.

After landmark court case - Universal Credit is cruel and useless

18 June 2018
The Tory rollout of Universal Credit (UC) unlawfully discriminates against disabled people, the High Court ruled last week.

LETTERS: Tory benefit system creates more desperate situations

01 May 2018
Food bank usage has shot up in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out in full

Reports round-up - Dpac stages protests against Tory Universal Credit

24 April 2018
Activists in Disabled People Against Cuts (Dpac) held a day of action against Universal Credit (UC) on Wednesday of last week.

Universal Credit linked to rent arrears

27 February 2018
Nearly three quarters of all tenants on the Universal Credit (UC) benefit in East Lothian, Scotland, are in rent arrears.

Disabled people suffer over one million benefit sanctions under Tory rule

20 February 2018
Disabled benefit claimants have suffered over a million sanctions since the Tories came to office in 2010

The Troublemaker - Access to Tory ministers goes to the highest bidders at ball

13 February 2018
It was the strongest endorsement of her premiership yet. Unfortunately for Theresa May it did not come from any cabinet minister.

PIP high court judgement shows the benefits of fighting

30 January 2018
The Tories have been forced to make a major U-turn on benefits.

One million children in poverty to miss out on free school meals

11 January 2018
New regulations under the Universal Credit regime will mean hardship for poorer families

LETTERS: Universal Credit nightmare has made me more political

02 January 2018
My mother sadly passed away last May and the tenancy of our flat was transferred to me. I was told to move onto Universal Credit.

Tory policies mean a Universal Credit nightmare over Christmas

29 December 2017
Christmas has been bitterly hard for people on the new Universal Credit (UC) regime. It means delays in payments, yet more brutal sanctions, and spiralling rent arrears for many.