A webinar today giving a wonderful chance to hear more today about the research by @DrSharonEWright & @PovertyAlliance on #UniversalCredit in Glasgow https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/how-well-universal-credit-supporting-people-glasgow.

Particularly interesting as Scotland has its own #SocialSecurity system but #UniversalCredit is the main income replacement benefit that isn't part of the devolved social security system. Q is whether the experience of UC 4 claimants is different in Scotland than elsewhere in UK

Access to #DWP job-coaches a key element of the research by @DrSharonEWright & @PovertyAlliance along with the user experience

Key finding from claimants was that of financial insecurity, reinforcing the concerns over the 5-week wait that exacerbated pre-existing financial problems and created new one.

Advance payments taken as the only means of getting by but high levels of income loss through deductions

Income inadequacy could not be overcome by the flexibility around scheduling of payments of #UniversalCredit. Not enuf money no matter when it was paid, and creating worries around losing homes, childcare, heat. In the words of a claimant: "you'll not starve, but you'll not live"

The research showed there were good relationships with work coaches but online system was a struggle for many. Lack of IT resources, language & literacy difficulties created challenges in getting on to system, but a lack of human contact for those needing support was a problem