IPSE welcomes proposal to tackle UC late payment problems

Written by:
  • IPSE
Posted On: 
11th March 2019

The bungled roll-out of Universal Credit has caused dire problems for thousands of people across the UK, says IPSE.

IPSE (the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed) have welcomed the calls for a 25 per cent Universal Credit bonus to help with the switch-over to the scheme. However, it warns there are still underlying issues with Universal Credit that must be addressed: particularly how the system treats the self-employed.

IPSE’s Deputy Director of Policy Andy Chamberlain said: “The bungled roll-out of Universal Credit has caused dire problems for thousands of people across the UK – including many of the self-employed. This is a very welcome proposal to tackle those problems.

DWP urged to compensate Universal Credit claimants if they're paid late

“There are still, however, structural flaws in Universal Credit that must be addressed. As it stands, the system unfairly punishes the self-employed by failing to account for their fluctuating incomes.

“Under the current system, a self-employed person can end up £3,000 worse-off than an employee on a similar income. That could be a disastrous financial loss for many people, and Universal Credit should not be rolled out any further until this serous flaw is fixed.”