Universal Credit: increasing hunger by design Read the briefing in full. Summary Last updated April 2019 As Churches we are concerned that the design of Universal Credit does not sufficiently take into account the lives, skills and resources of the least well off, and as a result will lead …
Blog
MPs Windrush inquiry questions hostile environment policies
Earlier this week, the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee released the report on its inquiry into the Windrush scandal. It is highly critical of the government’s actions and confirmed many of the concerns raised in JPIT’s recent report Destitution, Discrimination & Distrust: The Web …
Ed’s story
We spoke to Ed at a drop-in centre run by a United Reformed Church: Ed sought asylum in the UK as a victim of torture. Her first asylum application was denied and Ed was taken into detention: “they came in the night and arrested me… it was like more traumatism in me… I was crying crying crying … …
‘Destitution kills you…No one should be made homeless.’
For me, destitution has a human face. Earlier this month I had the privilege of visiting a Church’s Refugee Welcome Centre in Birmingham to hear about people’s experiences of the hostile environment. One person we spoke to was Zaza,[ref]Zaza requested that we change his name to protect …
Churches urge end to ‘hostile environment’ policies
A group of major Churches is launching a campaign to challenge the government’s approach to illegal immigration, which they say is leading to destitution, discrimination and distrust. The Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have joined forces …
Treating people decently? Immigration policy home and away.
The situation in the USA is truly shocking. The separation of children from their parents at the border and the possibility that some of them will never be reunited represents the height of cruelty within a system of border control. US Attorney General, Jeff Sessions’ use of the Bible to justify …
Is that really what it says in the Bible?
Last week, while defending the Trump administration’s immigration policy, Jeff Sessions said: “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13 to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order… Orderly and lawful …
When will the Government recognise that Universal Credit is in trouble?
This week’s NAO report provided the details of what everyone knows – Universal Credit is failing and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) doesn’t listen to people who disagree with them. The real question was how the DWP would respond. Would they acknowledge problems, and work with others in …
“A benefit system which drives families into debt and leaves people hungry is a failing benefit system” say Churches
Speaking on behalf of the Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, Paul Morrison commented on the release of the National Audit Office (NAO) report, Rolling out Universal Credit, saying, “Churches have repeatedly expressed concerns about Universal …
Universal Credit: From bad to farce
If Universal Credit (UC) was a horse, it would be shot - repeatedly. The DWP has just released a flurry of reports which paint a picture of a deeply troubled system. Despite their best efforts at a positive spin there is no hiding the problems. I am sure I will go into detail in other pieces but …