WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
Printable version E-mail this to a friend

Universal Credit scheme is in chaos, warns TUC

Responding to today's (Thursday) report by the National Audit Office, which says that the government's new Universal Credit Programme is wasting taxpayers' money and is being poorly implemented, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:

'This report is a damning indictment of what happens when one minister's ill- thought out hobby horse replaces proper policy development.

'The National Audit Office has exposed what a mess the government is making of implementing Universal Credit, which now appears to be a dysfunctional money pit.

'It beggars belief that minsters still don't know whether their IT will work nationally and that such huge sums have been wasted on systems that aren't fit for purpose.

'Instead of making up stats, attacking claimants in genuine need and cutting back on budgets for managing fraud, ministers should focus their energies on developing a modern welfare system that provides proper support to those who need help. They are to blame for this debacle not officials.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC's Campaign Plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Congress 2013 will be held at the Bournemouth International Centre from Sunday 8 September to Wednesday 11 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/media_credentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 28 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Bournemouth and will cost £75.

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E:
media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk

Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story