Labour Will Scrap ‘Inhumane And Cruel’ Universal Credit, Jeremy Corbyn Vows

“The Universal Credit system sums up the priorities of the Conservatives – who think they’re born to rule. A government of the wealthy cutting taxes for the super-rich while forcing people to rely on foodbanks to survive.” 

Boris Johnson has made a series of spending commitments since becoming prime minister, including cash to recruit 20,000 new police officers, £1.85 billion for hospital upgrades and a pledge to “level up” schools funding. 

But the government continues to be told that personal debt and in-work poverty remain a huge and growing burden for working families. 

Polling released this week by GQR, commissioned by the TUC, found that one in five workers (20%, up from 13% in 2017) are skipping meals to make ends meet. 

One in ten reported being unable to pay their mortgage, one in five went without heating when it was cold and one in five pawned something because they were short of money, the poll of 2,700 British adults found. 

Asked how they would deal with an unexpected £500 bill, nearly one in three workers (30%) say they wouldn’t be able to pay – up from 24% in 2017.

Labour has said it would end the benefit cap as well as the two-child limit on benefits, which requires women claiming for a third child to declare that they were raped, and immediately suspend the sanctions regime, which sees benefits withheld from some people. 

The “digital by default” condition which means Universal Credit claimants must use the internet to apply will also end. 

With many blaming Universal Credit for exacerbating in-work poverty, Corbyn will also use the rally to say “it’s time to end this cruelty”.

Margaret Greenwood, shadow secretary for work and pensions, said: “Universal Credit was meant to lift people out of poverty, simplify the social security system and smooth the transition into work.

“Instead it is failing those in need, pushing many into debt and rent arrears and forcing them to rely on foodbanks to survive.

“The two-child limit and the benefit cap are driving up child poverty, and the callous sanctions regime is punishing people instead of supporting them.

“Labour will scrap Universal Credit, put an end to the benefit cap and create a social security system that, just like our NHS, treats people with dignity and respect and is there for any one of us in our time of need.”

Matthew Lesh, head of research at the right-wing think thank the Adam Smith Institute, said scrapping the benefit would cost the UK “billions”.

He told the Telegraph: “There is always room for reform, but dismantling universal credit will cost billions, mean higher taxes and undermine our record low unemployment.”