Bishops join call for ‘urgent action’ on Universal Credit

A campaign has been launched by End Hunger UK asking ministers to ‘fix’ Universal Credit.

It wants the government to create a more flexible system for claimants applying and for those already receiving the benefit.

The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler (pictured below), the Church’s lead bishop on welfare issues, said: “We need urgent action to improve the flexibility and support for people on Universal Credit, and a long-term commitment that the social security system will provide enough income for them to afford to feed themselves and their families properly.

“Without such action, we can expect to see more and more people turning to food banks and becoming trapped in poverty.

“The problems we are seeing with Universal Credit at church-run food banks across the country must be resolved before many more people are moved on to the new benefit.”

It comes as reports suggest the government is delaying the full introduction of Universal Credit.

Gary Lemon, policy director at the Christian charity Trussell Trust told Premier’s News Hour the situation is a mess.

He said: “There is a principle that needs to underpin our whole benefit system. That is that no one is left without enough money to afford the basics.

“Unfortunately what our food banks are seeing is that Universal Credit is no fulfilling that principle at the…