Inverness MP Drew Hendry renews calls to scrap five-week wait for Universal Credit during Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic
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Inverness MP Drew Hendry has renewed calls for the UK government to scrap the five-week wait for Universal Credit after a minister admitted it had not considered the measure.
The coronavirus crisis has sparked fresh calls to axe the wait for people’s first payment for Universal Credit, which has seen a record 1.5million claims in the six weeks to April 12.
But welfare delivery minister Will Quince told the work and pensions select committee that administrative costs meant such a move “wasn’t even really considered as an option”.
The government previously claimed it would be operationally challenging and Neil Couling, of the Department for Work and Pensions, admitted that lifting the current benefits cap would not be “the most difficult thing to do”.
The comments prompted new demands from Mr Hendry who has long campaigned against Universal Credit after Inverness was chosen as one of five pilot areas for the welfare payment six years ago, before being introduced across the rest of the Highlands.
The SNP MP said that, since then, Highland Council had ended up £3 million out of pocket, with Highland taxpayers footing the bill, and those on Universal Credit suffering hardship through no fault of their own.
He has repeatedly called for the UK government to strengthen welfare protections by scrapping the five-week wait, reversing the benefit cap and introducing a guaranteed minimum income for everyone.
He also advocates the suspension of Universal Credit until it can be fixed and made fit for purpose.
"It should shame the Tories that during these extraordinary times they cannot see fit to scrap the five-week wait for new claimants, a wait which for many means the difference between eating or a trip to the food bank," Mr Hendry said.
"The UK government must now scrap the five-week wait, turn the advance payment loans already given into emergency grants, and ensure all new claims are given automatic grants to ensure people can cover the costs of food, heating and household bills.
"If the UK government had listened to our calls to introduce a Universal Basic Income at the start of this Covid-19 pandemic, the massive hardships people are now facing as a consequence could have been avoided.
"The Chancellor previously claimed he would do whatever it takes to help people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The UK government must follow through on their commitment and strengthen welfare protections so people get the help they need now – not in five weeks times.
"For a decade, Tory austerity and damaging welfare policy reforms have been removing the safety net that we may all need at some point in our lives.
"It is vital the Tories reverse damaging cuts like the benefits cap and put adequate support in place if we are going to help people through this crisis."
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