Universal Credit in Torfaen

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:03 pm on 9 October 2018.

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Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 2:03, 9 October 2018

First Minister, Torfaen has had more than a year now of the full service roll-out of universal credit. In that year, we have seen people waiting six to eight weeks for payment, an increase in debt and rent arrears, more and more people needing to use food banks and a universal credit helpline where people are literally waiting hours to speak to a member of staff. I believe the local record in Torfaen is four hours, with most people, especially vulnerable people, giving up in that time. will you join me in paying tribute to the excellent coalition we've got of Torfaen council, Torfaen citizens advice bureau, TRAC2 and housing providers, who are all working so hard to get people through this universal credit maze? But will you also join me in calling the UK Government to recognise that it's time to stop this now and sort out these problems before it causes any more suffering?