Benefit delivery is causing financial hardship.
Citizens Advice is calling on the government to pause the rollout of Universal Credit. The application system requires claimants to wait 6 weeks for payment leading to financial insecurity and debt.
Many are falling behind with regular payments including rent and some are even at risk of losing their homes.
In Surrey Universal Credit is at currently available to just a small group. Full implementation here is planned by summer 2018 although present difficulties must cast doubt on this timetable.
The research backing up the call for a pause is based on the experience of 600,000 Citizens Advice clients nationwide. Recommendations for the Department for Work and Pensions before the rollout accelerates are:
Full background Citizens Advice press release 06/07/17