United Concern About Universal Credit
A well attended meeting in New Mills on Monday night ( September 3rd) was given an insight into the huge problems and injustices associated with the implementation of Universal Credit , which is happening in High Peak next week. It also heard from activists in areas where Universal Credit has already been introduced, who are campaigning against it whilst at the same time giving practical support to those affected by its impact. Universal Credit ( UC) combines a number of existing benefits into a single payment. Not a bad idea in itself and generally welcomed in principle when it was first suggested. The disaster that it has become has been largely due to the fact that its implementation has had the primary intention of saving money rather than having it better spent. This has meant that the original promise to ‘make work pay’ has been heavily diluted whilst those with children and/or disabilities are facing severe cuts to their payments. In addition those in part time emplo