How to Apply
UCP News Impact of the Universal Credit roll out in Peterborough

Impact of the Universal Credit roll out in Peterborough

Citizens Advice Peterborough has joined forces with degree researchers from University Centre Peterborough to assess how the rollout of the Universal Credit is affecting local residents.

Universal Credit represents the biggest change to the welfare system since its creation. It brings together six different benefits into a single monthly payment and by 2022, Universal Credit is expected to affect 21,500 households across Peterborough1.

The sheer scale of Universal Credit creates many challenges, and this has been clear in its development so far. The IT, administration and policy changes involved place huge a demand on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Jobcentres and claimants themselves2.

As we approach the first anniversary of the full-service roll out of Universal Credit in Peterborough, this collaborative project between Citizens Advice Peterborough and University Centre Peterborough involves listening to Peterborough claimants to discuss their experience of claiming and living on the new benefit, to explore the local impact of Universal Credit.

Nicky Rees, Advice Operations Supervisor at Citizens Advice Peterborough said;

“The principles behind Universal Credit are sound, but a mix of flaws in how the benefit was designed and problems with how it is being delivered is leaving many people’s finances in tatters. We’ve already had over 2,000 enquiries in Peterborough from people who are having problems with Universal Credit since November 2017. This joint project will allow us to explore further the local impact of Universal Credit, to work towards influencing change both locally and nationally. If anyone does run into problems with Universal Credit, don’t hesitate to contact Citizens Advice Peterborough3 for help.”

Course leader for BA (Hons) Sociology at the University Centre Paul Wilks, comments;

“We are delighted to be working with Citizens Advice on this project. In the social sciences we are looking for every opportunity to contribute to the life of the city and we see this as a hugely important project. Most of our students are local and will have experience of the benefit, directly or indirectly. The decision to participate in this project was therefore an easy one.”

The report is due to be published in November 2018. In the meantime, if you have experience with Universal Credit and would like to participate in the project please contact the University Centre Peterborough Research Team at research@peterborough.ac.uk, alternatively please complete their online survey4.

Related News

University Centre Peterborough Graduate, Amy Drake, Secures Role as Volume Crime Scene Examiner with Cambridgeshire Constabulary

Amy Drake, BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation graduate of University Centre Pe...

Record Number of Students Choose Inspire Education Group

Record-breaking Recruitment Inspire Edu...

Building a Career in Graphic Design: University Centre Peterborough Graduate, Kim Stott, Explains her Professional Development

Kim Stott has led an inspiring career journey since graduating from the Graph...

University Centre Peterborough History & Archaeology Graduate Progresses to Postgraduate Study

Julie Gray graduated in September 2023 with a BA (H...

University Centre Peterborough currently has 700+ students on over 30 different degree level programmes.

Address

Park Crescent, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 4DZ

© 2023.University Centre Peterborough. All rights reserved. Site by i3MEDIA