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More than 6,000 people in Caerphilly County Borough receiving Universal Credit

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 10:23, Tuesday August 20th, 2019.

More than 6,000 people in Caerphilly County Borough are receiving Universal Credit, according to recent figures.

Universal Credit is now available across the UK, having been fully introduced to the borough in September 2018.

There are a total of 6,282 Universal Credit claimants in the borough, the seventh highest figure among local authorities in Wales.

Conservative MP Will Quince, who is the UK Government’s minister for welfare delivery, said: “Figures show that more than 114,000 people in Wales are receiving Universal Credit. Behind these figures are thousands of people getting tailored employment support to either find a job or increase their hours.

“Universal Credit is a force for good – it’s simpler, more flexible and is helping people into work quicker than the old system. Crucially, it adjusts to people’s monthly earnings so there are no disincentives to working.”

However, Labour MP Gerald Jones, who represents Merthyr Tydil and Rhymney, said: “While there is an argument for a simplified benefit system, as the minister describes, what we know of Universal Credit is that it has led to many cases where people are trapped in further poverty because of the way the system is operated.

“In its current form, Universal Credit is not a force for good, but a shambles.

“It is causing too much hardship and stress to too many people.”

Gerald Jones MP

Mr Jones added: “The Citizens Advice Bureau’s Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent branch reported that last year it dealt with 1,882 cases concerning Universal Credit, which shows just how serious an issue this is in our area.

“The Government’s recent decision to lower the cap on deductions from Universal Credit payments from 40% to 30%, and to extend the repayment period for advance payments to 16 months from the current 12 month limit, simply do not go far enough.

“There are thousands of people who need help now, who cannot make ends meet and who rely on these advance Universal Credit payments simply to get by day to day. This Government is letting them down once again.”

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