Universal Credit waiting times have ‘plunged people into misery and despair’, according to a United Nations envoy.

UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Professor Philip Alston said the introduction of Universal Credit has caused extreme hardship but could easily be reversed by the Government.

He claimed the new benefits policies, which the Government say incentivise paid work, equate to ‘a punitive, mean-spirited, and callous approach’.

The UN has said that Universal Credit has caused extreme hardship but can be reversed by Government (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

But he added: ‘If a new minister was interested, if a new Government were interested, the harshness could be changed overnight and for very little money.’


The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, resigned from Theresa May’s Cabinet on Thursday citing her disagreement with the Prime Minister’s Brexit proposal.

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Prof Alston made the comments following a 12-day, nine-city trip to the UK on Friday.



According to his report, approximately 14 million people in the UK are living in poverty, with 1.5 million classes as destitute, and unable to afford basic essentials.

Prof Alston also claimed people in poverty will ‘bear the brunt’ of the economic consequences of Brexit.

He said ‘the impact of Brexit on the British people has not been examined as it should be’, adding ‘those in lower income groups are really going to suffer’.

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People have reported long delays (Picture: PA)

Labour have been quick to condemn the Government for Professor Alston’s findings.

Margaret Greenwood, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said: ‘I am deeply concerned by the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur’s report. The Government should listen to the people being pushed into poverty by its policies.

‘Universal Credit is failing miserably, leaving families in debt, rent arrears and at risk of becoming homeless. Three million children are growing up in poverty despite living in a working household.

‘Labour will stop the roll out of Universal Credit, end the benefit freeze and transform the social security system so that it supports people instead of punishing them.’