Citizens Advice has responded to the Work and Pensions Committee’s report ‘Universal Credit: the wait for a first payment.’
Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“Universal Credit has been a lifeline for millions in this crisis, but with the potential for a bleak winter of further redundancies, more needs to be done to strengthen the safety net.
“We welcome the findings of this report as we know many face hardship during the five-week wait for Universal Credit. While advance payments are available, they have to be repaid, often leaving people with a choice of struggling now or struggling later.
“The government must provide some additional security, particularly with people facing a difficult labour market. That means urgently addressing issues with the five-week wait and making the £20 a week uplift to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit permanent.”