Universal credit starts today - a shambles

[al**bear]

This very complicated change , which is meant to make the benefit system simpler (only a politician could think this up), starts today.

It was meant to be a comprehensive 'test' of the new Benefit & it's computer systems, over 4 areas, covering all kinds of claimants.

They found that this would be too hard to do, so they cut it to 1 area only. Then they cut it to a few small bits of that single area.

Now we hear that this was too much for the new computer system, so they will only cover NEW 'Single' claimants, Couples were too involved as were People already on Benefits.

So this trial will cover about 100 people a month, and only the very easiest ones at that.

This is ALL meant to take place on-line, but Government figures show that only 15% of people in the most need, who have contacted them, have used the Governments on-line help pages and advisers

This will be an unmitigated disaster, UK governments and Civil Servants, have a poor record of implementing, NEW computer systems.  But this system is way more complicated than anything that has gone before

[spawnjohnuk]

The whole system is at breaking point ,I am surprised it's lasted this long tbh..but it will lead to computer failings that will in turn lead to people receiving nothing and then bills will pile up and more misery inflicted on those without a say,all because they 'need to be seen doing something 'for votes off the important people ..ie the merchant bankers, 

[electric*mayhem*band]

What can you expect when this fiasco was concocted and executed by the Monty Python team ?

No, forget that. They were clever and funny, everything the present incumbents aren't.

*sings Bad Moon Rising*

[blackburn_stevie]

Have I got this right?

A small number of people will be able to sign-up, sign-on, register to do this new fangled malarkey and the way that it has come across is that these few people will do whatever it is that they have to do, online.

So how much is all this going to save?

What about if the claimant has to claim extra benefits to cover transport to either a Library or a Cyber-cafe plus computer hire to do the signing up, on or whatever. Will this be more, or less, than the amount of benefits saved?

[spawnjohnuk]

I was thinking the same thing on how are poor people supposed to use pc's stevie. libraries are the only outlet free ,I know of and the gov has cut back those to part of walk in healthcare centres so extra pc's will be needed but no money lol..cyber cafe if one available costs also so savings are....err minus 60 as always.

It's a very unfunny game they play ,but hey ho could be worse, just don't look into the possible future 🙂 

[Anonymous]

another tory farce, well what did you expect from dave & co.

[al**bear]

IDS said yesterday 85% of New claimants, had internet access at their home or by smart-phones.

(though,filling in forms by Smart-phone, that's going to be a task)

1 :-  I find even that figure hard to believe

2 :-  He intentionally uses the select group of People , who have just become unemployed, who are more likely to have this

What is the figure for the long-term unemployed, sick or disabled. These are the People who will most use and have to get more involved with , these new online systems.

As I mentioned only 15% of inquiries from these People have used the present DWP Online services

He also said, they are starting small , because thats the best thing to do - Quite right

But the original plan to roll it out in 4 areas - Was the small scale trial