Shelter's response to Universal Credit debate

Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, said: “Shelter’s advisers are hearing from more and more people whose lives are being turned upside down by the many flaws with Universal Credit. Not only are people forced to go without basics like food and electricity, but the delays mean they get into debt, cannot pay their rent and risk being evicted and made homeless.

“If the government wants Universal Credit to fulfil its aim of helping people, it must immediately resolve the unnecessary delays and errors that are causing so much suffering. The housing element of Universal Credit is too low to keep up with the actual cost of private rents in much of the country, meaning even if people receive their benefits on time they could still lose their home. The government must lift the freeze on housing benefit in the Autumn Budget.”