Labour in Government will radically overhaul the “INHUMANE and CRUEL” universal credit programme by introducing an approach to social security that treats claimants with DIGNITY and RESPECT.

“Our new system will be one that prevents debt and destitution rather than causes it; preserves human dignity rather than destroying it and provides security in times of need”.

• We’ll REFORM the social security system and REDUCE POVERTY.

• We’ll SCRAP the “punish and police” culture at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

• We’ll SUSPEND benefit sanctions e.g. for missed appointments

• We’ll SCRAP the five-week wait for a first universal credit payment (blamed for destitution, debt and increased use of food banks).

• We’ll SCRAP the benefit cap and two-child benefit limit and the ABHORRENT ‘rape clause’.

• We’ll SCRAP Work Capability Assessments.

“When rolling out Universal Credit, the Government REFUSED to listen when people and advice organisations told them the problems and warned them of the need to stop. It was right to try to simplify the benefit system, but it was monstrously wrong to roll out to millions a system which was half-finished and was riven with faults”.

” I have listened to hundreds of people miserably affected by Universal Credit, a suffering which was unnecessary. Many people, from DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) to Citizens Advice contributed to the u-turns the Government made. The Tories would prefer for people to comply with the system rather than speak up, but I am proud of all those who spoke up, and proud that Labour has listened and will reform, with the aim to create a social security system that puts people’s needs at the centre”

“When we say Labour will SCRAP Universal Credit, we do not mean that anyone’s payments will stop. Instead, we will introduce so many positive changes: the new social security system will be radically different; it will be underpinned by some changes in philosophy, so our new system will be one that prevents debt and destitution rather than causes it; preserves human dignity rather than destroying it and provides security in times of need. How does that sound”? (Laura Pidcock MP. Shadow Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy).

Eastbourne Labour Party