Imran has written to the Department for Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, calling on her to scrap the rollout of the disastrous Universal Credit system, which is plunging thousands of vulnerable people into poverty

After the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd MP admitted in Parliament that Universal Credit has increased the use of food banks across the country, Imran has written to Ms Rudd to demand she stops the rollout and scraps the Universal Credit system.

Since its introduction, the roll-out of Universal Credit has been completely mismanaged by the Government and has had a catastrophic impact on those most vulnerable in society. Numerous reports, and now by the ministers own admission, have outlined the direct contribution of Universal Credit to the rise of poverty, use of food banks and homelessness.

Universal Credit has seen 70% of people pushed into debt as a result of having to wait several weeks to receive their first payment. While the National Audit Office has found that people are being pushed into rent arrears due to the government’s disastrous management, contributing to the growing numbers of homelessness seen across the country.

Standing up for Bradford, Imran points out that Bradford is already one of the most deprived cities in the country, ranking 5^th as most income deprived local authority. Child poverty is high, with almost half of children in Bradford East living in poverty. In light of all of the evidence, Imran has demanded the Minister to immediately scrap the roll-out which she, herself has admitted has increased the use of food banks.

Speaking on Universal Credit, Imran said:

“Universal Credit has unfairly targeted the most vulnerable people in this country, increasing the levels of poverty foodbanks and homelessness. Multiple reports have shown this to be true and now the government has finally admitted the harm they are causing.

“After the minister admitted the impact Universal Credit is having she has no leg to stand on and must scrap the rollout, she must not put further pressure on Bradford, already one of the most deprived areas in the country. Only last year Bradford’s food banks saw a 25% increase in their use, and if the Minister insists on forcing Universal Credit on us, this figure will rise even higher.

“The people of Bradford have already been made worse off through the governments ideological driven policy of austerity and I am calling on the minister now, in light of all the research and now her own admission, to scrap the roll-out and not subject the people of Bradford to systems which are proven to make them worse off.”