Almost a million (950,000) new Universal Credit claims between 16th-31st March - we’ve never seen anything like this. This is what should be on the front pages tomorrow. Some real suffering lay ahead for a lot of people.
Is the story the fact that DWP are mobilising thousands of non frontline staff to deal with the increase? they’ve relaxed the normal rules in order to pay everyone? They’ve increased the amount (under the radar)?
I just think it merits news coverage. The situation is unprecedented and the system was never going to be able to cope with it. It wasn't a dig. Obviously the loss of life and ramifications for the families is awful. But the financial hardship that huge numbers of the population are set to face is also newsworthy. The government have done a lot more than I ever thought they would. Sadly it won't be enough for many, I'm not sure if enough could be done for everyone.
