Discuss - Welfare Universal Credit - Introduction of Universal Credit

Are you in favour of the introduction of Universal Credit?

Alliance Party Alliance Social Development Spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA welcomed the proposals for Universal Credit, stating that, "I wholeheartedly welcome the decision by the Secretary to facilitate an alternative to the planned monthly payment scheme, so that the lowest-paid receive their benefits fortnightly. Many workers are not used to receiving a monthly salary and they cannot be expected to know how to automatically budget this way. This decision allows those who want monthly payments to have them, but those who aren't ready for that step may be given fortnightly payments and extra support." Source: Alliance Party website, http://allianceparty.org/article/2012/006716/cochrane-welcomes-changes-to-benefit-claim-scheme

Conservative Universal Credit is predominantly a Conservative policy. The party states that it wishes to introduce Universal Credit "so it always pays more to be in work than on benefits". Source: Conservatives website, https://www.conservatives.com/Plan/CapWelfareReduceImmigration.aspx "Iain Duncan Smith told the BBC the new benefit was £600m under budget and had been implemented gradually on advice." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31476172 Universal benefits for pensioners will also be protected if they win the general election in May, David Cameron announced on 23rd Feb: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31580520

DUP The DUP have raised concerns regarding technology costs and fines from Westminster, should Northern Ireland's policies for Universal Credit differ from that in England and Wales. Source: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/sinn-fein-and-dup-clash-on-welfare-30155466.html

Green Party The Party's Disability spokesman Jonathan Bartley said: "The Universal Credit scheme is an assault on society’s weakest, who are being forced to pay the biggest price for an economic crisis which is not of their making. For many people, welfare payments are the difference between sinking and swimming. In its current form this scheme will push many completely under." Source: Green Party Website, http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2012/10/17/immediate-action-needed-to-stop-assault-on-society%E2%80%99s-most-vulnerable/

Labour Labour has said that they will 'pause' the government's flagship welfare reform of Universal Credit, if they win the 2015 general election, said Rachel Reeves, Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary. The party have called it a 'failing programme' that would take years to implement. Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27963650

Liberal Democrat The Liberal Democrats would complete the introduction of Universal Credit, in order to 'ensure that people are always better off in employment'.

Plaid Cymru NO Universal Credit System without a thorough independent review. Source: Plaid Cymru, http://www.partyof.wales/easy-read-manifesto/

SNP Party leader Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the Prime Minister about Universal Credit, outlining several concerns. Her letter stated, "Universal Credit effectively abolishes housing benefit. It is not clear to me how we can have a meaningful discussion about devolving a welfare policy that is already in the process of being abolished. I have therefore written to the Prime Minister today asking that the roll-out of Universal Credit – which in any event is already significantly delayed and discredited – is halted in Scotland." Source: SNP website, http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/oct/roll-out-universal-credit-must-be-halted

UKIP It would seem that UKIP are in favour of Universal Credit, although some of the party's members have expressed doubt about the technical feasability rolling it out to the whole of the UK. Source: http://ukipdaily.com/universal-credit-answer/

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