Addressing the Annual Delegate Meeting in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary said: “There is no longer any room for doubt, Universal Credit is a system entirely unfit for purpose. It is causing misery for millions of people across the country.
 
“The failings of Universal Credit has already been highlighted by various organisations, the Trussell Trust has found that Universal Credit has led to a four-fold increase in the use of foodbanks where it is rolled out. The National Housing Federation has shown that Universal Credit has caused three times as many people to get behind with their rent. Now the Work and Pensions Select Committee has launched an investigation into reports that Universal Credit is forcing single mums into prostitution.
 
“Universal Credit is failing the most vulnerable members of our society. Usdaw-led calls within the Labour Party which helped to delay the rollout of Universal Credit, but even though the Government seems to accept that there are real problems with it, they keep transferring people onto an entirely defective system.
 
“This needs to stop now. Tweaks around the edges aren't enough. A fundamental overhaul is needed.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion