THE Government must take urgent steps to improve access to the social security system for new claimants during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Newport East MP Jessica Morden.
Speaking via video link in response to a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statement on Covid-19, Ms Morden said: "There have been more than 82,000 new claims for Universal Credit in Wales during the pandemic which is unprecedented, and I echo the thanks to DWP staff.
"Some still are struggling to get support with their new claim - like a constituent who couldn’t get through on the phone, and had to walk 45 minutes to get help as she can't afford internet access.
"I urge ministers to do more to make it much easier to access support with new claims, including ending the five-week wait."
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Responding to Ms Morden, DWP Secretary Therese Coffey MP said that the government would not be ending five-week waits for a first payment, and defended the department's policy of advance payments for new claimants.
She acknowledged that there had been 'difficulties with telephony' but said the DWP had 'turned that system around'.
Ms Morden said: "The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the need for the government to review how it is handling Universal Credit claims.
"It's all very well for the Secretary of State to talk up advance payments for new claimants, but as long as these are in the form of loans rather than grants, they will only push more people into debt."
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