Conference sets campaigning tasks on universal credit

Opening a debate on ending “social insecurity”, Angela Hamilton for the National Executive Council (NEC) said that she was “proud to see the donations for a local [Liverpool] food bank – but ashamed that such need occurs”. The UK is the sixth richest country in the world, she pointed out, “yet one where the UN has said poverty is a political choice”. On the last morning of national delegate conference, Ms Hamilton voiced her contempt of the Conservative politicians who “smile as they visit food banks ”– or cry – yet don’t understand or refuse to acknowledge how the massive rise in food bank use relates to the damage being done by their party’s policy of universal credit. Universal credit does not stand alone, though, but is destructive in conjunction with other things – not least, zero-hours contracts and insecure work. “People might n­ot be queuing outside the shipyard for work, but they are sitting by their phone, waiting for it ring with a few hours work,” she noted. Ms Hamilton listed a number of examples of the dire situations that people are being forced into by universal credit issues, including that of a nurse who had to sell her children’s toys to feed them. “It’s time to put a stop to the devastation of universal credit and put in place something that is fit for purpose.,” she told delegates. “Let’s get rid of this awful government … and make sure the most vulnerable in this society get the support that they deserv...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2019 National Delegate Conference foodbanks repeal two child limit Universal credit Source Type: news