In a debate in the House today, I made it clear that Universal Credit does have my full support, but there needs to be some refinements. I think it's imperative that we shorten the timescale from six weeks to ease the burden on some claimants who have been used to being paid weekly. We also need to make sure that upfront payments are available and publicised for everyone who applies for Universal Credit. This will help all those on the lower income scale with cash flow problems. I welcome the improvements that the Government has made in recent weeks, but I suggest more could be done to make sure claimants realise that it is possible for rent to be paid directly to the landlords in the social housing and private rented sectors, which would also make a huge difference to many people. Equally, there should be more training for the people who deliver these benefits so fewer mistakes are made by both the users and the administrators. I certainly do not want to return to the old system or pause this one. The taxpayer who, after all, is funding the scheme should be heartened to be reminded that since the partial roll out of these reforms there are 700,000 fewer workless households and a further 40,000 households where people have never previously worked are now in employment. This is good news for the taxpayer, the families and especially the young.
So, we should improve not abandon our efforts.