WIREDGOV

As the Government releases figures on the progress of Universal Credit, Citizens Advice urges Ministers to lay out how they will tackle the huge challenges around the corner.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“Ministers mustn't draw any conclusions from these very early numbers. Universal credit can potentially have a huge positive impact but the project has been beset with uncertainty and own goals.  Our research shows nine out of ten of our clients are not ready for Universal Credit.

“The only people to have moved onto the new benefit so far are single people with no dependants. A slow introduction is sensible but the small number of pilots does not reflect the huge challenges coming round the corner and Ministers must give us details on how they've prepared for that.

“The only issue which matters is how this affects individual people and their families. Half of CAB clients in pilot areas will struggle with online forms and 22% don't have basic banking services. Despite the urgency of the situation we are still no closer to knowing how people in extremely complicated circumstances will be helped onto the new system. I'm looking forward to hearing in the next few weeks how Ministers will fix the glaring problems which will soon be upon us if they don't take action.  Ministers must also ensure the new lower level of childcare support for low income families does not undermine the Government's ambition to make every hour or work pay."

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors

1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.

2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.

3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at www.adviceguide.org.uk

4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers

5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends

6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.