Benefits

Universal Credit linked to rent arrears

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

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

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

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

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

LETTERS: Universal Credit nightmare has made me more political

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.

Civil service workers strike against redundancies and for claimants

22 December 2017
Civil service workers at a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit centre in Plymouth ended their second day of a 48-hour strike on Friday.

Fight to bring an end to the Universal Credit nightmare

12 December 2017
Tory benefit reforms mean thousands of people face a Christmas of uncertainty and the threat of eviction. Mary, a young lone parent in London, is one of them.

Poverty report finds millions suffer hardship

05 December 2017
Tory rule has increased the number of children, pensioners and workers who live in poverty—reversing a long-term decline.

Reports round-up: Walkout at a delivery office

28 November 2017
Also: lobby of Scottish parliament, nuclear strike and Universal Credit protest

‘Austerity is killing’ as funding for women’s refuges is cut

27 November 2017
A change to benefit rules slashing funding for women’s refuges will put women and children at risk.

Why Universal Credit cannot be fixed

26 November 2017
There is growing anger about the effects of Universal Credit (UC). So what’s to be done?

Misery in Tory Britain as Universal Credit lands domestic violence survivor with eviction threat

21 November 2017
Tory chancellor Philip Hammond’s budget will do nothing to end the regime of cuts, poverty and racism.

Anger as jobcentre bosses hold sick Universal Credit ‘rollout parties’

21 November 2017
As jobcentres switch to Universal Credit (UC), sick bosses are holding “rollout parties” to celebrate.

LETTERS: Conditions are dangerous inside 'grisly Risley' prison

21 November 2017
There have been reports that an explosive device was found inside HM Prison Risley last week.

Universal discredit—the Tories wreck our lives

14 November 2017
The Tories’ Universal Credit (UC) benefit regime is wrecking lives.

Fall of Priti Patel brings vile Tory government one step closer to the brink

09 November 2017
Two cabinet ministers have now resigned from their posts in the space of a week. Disgracefully both remain as MPs. The government is in an even deeper crisis.

Defeat on Universal Credit vote exposes Tory weakness

18 October 2017
The government knew it would lose, so it ordered Tory MPs not to take part in a parliamentary vote on the introduction of the harsh new Universal Credit benefit regime.