THE SNP have demanded an immediate halt to the UK Government's 'hated' flasgship welfare policy after it was revealed a fresh delay will cost the taxpayer £500 billion.
The switchover to Universal Credit will not now be complete in late 2024, it has emerged. The findings came in a new BBC programme, Universal Credit: Inside the Welfare State, due to air tonight which follows those responsible for implementing the policy as well as claimants on Universal Credit.
MP Neil Gray, the SNP’s shadow work and pensions spokesperson, said: “The Tory Government’s attempts to roll out its hated flagship welfare policy has been dogged by delays and chaos and has inflicted hardship on those caught at the sharp end.
“It should shame the Tories that the continued delays and issues surrounding Universal Credit have added a staggering £500m to its total cost, while families are increasingly having to turn to food banks to survive.
“Time and time again we have heard the harrowing accounts of people suffering as a result of the flawed Universal Credit system – with families being pushed into poverty and debt and people having to wait five weeks before their payments come through.
“It’s high time the Tories took steps to end the hardship by immediately halting the rollout of Universal Credit, and move urgently to fix the policy starting with ending the five-week wait, restoring work allowances, and scrapping the two-child limit and rape clause."
“In Scotland, we are taking a different approach and building a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect – it’s about time the Tories followed suit.”
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