The Universal Credit Crisis - BBC Panorama 

Wait. He goes for the appointment, the lady he's supposed to meet is on holiday. And then he is treated as having missed the appointment??? And sanctioned ??? In what world is that fair?? I live in Asia and even I know that is a load of bollocks.

Even those working are struggling This country is messed up

My Dad had a saying when we were Kids, he used to say , always pay your rent first then atleast you know you have a warm cave to forage from.

When me and my partner lost our jobs, we were told by the job centre that their computer systems were struggling with universal credit claims and would often just stop working, and they had basically had the whole new system dumped on them with no training on how to actually work it. We were dutifully told that, well, there are food banks so at least you won't starve. Got a new job within a few weeks, thank God, because we could've been homeless and the system was in no way there to help.

Man at 6.38 'I've even looked for somewhere to live, and I've found a bridge where I can live.' A bridge. At 63. What a sad situation

The rent should still be paid directly to the council or landlords; that was a stupid move by the government 🙄

I've had two male friends pass away due to universal credit, since this video was posted in Nov 2018. It's a culling of the poor, they would rather see us all dead than give anyone a penny.

The government 5 years ago should have told people to have an emergency bank account. Income Support and Universal Credit have a savings limit of £6000. I feel very sorry to the man with £4000 rent problems. He is 63 years old and has worked all of his life. This system is horrible for everyone on it. Not all homeless families can get a home to live in!

Make no mistake, the changes to the benefits system were never about ‘saving money’, ‘austerity’ or any of that nonsense. It was about deliberately attacking the most vulnerable in our society. Notice how no MP seemed to be in any way troubled by austerity cuts. Notice how none of the austerity measures involved closing tax loopholes for the richest individuals and companies. Notice how in the months and years leading up to the changes, there was a rash of TV programmes about people on benefits, specifically designed to make them look bad and like they were all scroungers, so everyone would just sit back and let the tories get away with what they’ve done. Given the number of deaths directly related to the benefit cuts, I’d venture to suggest that it’s a form of genocide.

Universal Credit Should be scrapped immediately

Seeing the two older gentlemen looking so defeated so tired broke my heart, I would never have wished to see that look in my dads eyes, it really does seem just impossible for people to live with the rules that are ultimately made by people who have never been in those kind of situations

What a bloody mess! Here in Australia, I get a pension, which the rent, electricity, water, etc bills get taken out before any funds are deposited into my bank a/c. I have peace of mind knowing most of my bills have already been paid.

I wish the tories would stop telling us that universal credit is working it is not working GET RID OFF IT.

I count my blessings every day.

Makes me so fuming mad for these people! Get sanctioned for nothing! It isn't their fault that the job market isn't good atm! This system got me in DEBT. It HINDERED me. This system punishes the poor. Blood on their hands. I am happy to say I have been employed near 2 years and nearly out of debt, I hope the same for these people.

This episode reminded me of my childhood, at that time we were on benefits, going to food banks, clothing drives for charity, it was humbling, but as the oldest of six at that time, I was eight, and I was so embarrassed, friends from school would see us walking everywhere , they weren’t real friends ,we didn’t have a car, and my mom just kept popping out kids, left home at 13 , by then, she had four more, equaling 10 kids, I could not follow in her footsteps, because I did not want to end up doing the same, ever so humbling,now that I’m an adult, three of my sisters and myself broke the chain of being poor and on benefits, I had two sons, and my other sisters didn’t have any kids they never will ,but it could still happen at a drop of a hat to us, or anyone, unless you are seriously wealthy, being rich, doesn’t stand up anymore, 2023, now this is an old show, I still pray for anyone that is still alive from back then right up until now, may you be able to live your best life ever, sadly I know more than half ,that won’t happen, I will never understand why kids have to go without, I’m talking essentials, and most importantly, food, and that’s parents working full-time, but with homes increasing in rent or mortgage, and your pay does not equal, what in the world are you to do, it’s the same here in the US, when you face being down in the deepest hole, all of a sudden the people you thought were friends aren’t, they can’t even look at you, and you’re too ashamed to look at them, on days I’m feeling down, I remind myself of my childhood, and everyone out there going through the worst times in their lives, I’ve got it pretty darn good, through hard work,with my husband, I am ashamed to ever have a moment of weakness about something trivial, there should never be a plan to. Let’s do this, and see how the people out there get by, politically that is horrid, and it does no good, and they know it., Just as they deny it.😡🥲

Iain Duncan Smith should face jail for all the deaths UC has caused

Omg im crying for these elderly men in dispair!... I hope this situation changes for the better rather fast 🙏🏾.. it’s disheartening 😢

I spent nearly all of my life telling people NOT to vote conservative but what do they do? What a shitty mess.

I told people over 9 years ago about the Purge. Most of you called me a fool. Few people actually believed what I was saying. Undoubtedly there's a very clear correlation between deaths after vulnerable people had their benefits stopped. But I ask you all this question now. When it is fully discovered the amount of people who have died or committed suicide immediately following their benefits being stopped. Will you hold all of them responsible the government the assessors will we sentence them to death? I ask you now as humans what is humanity in 2019?

Having had my severe illness for 35yrs they have now taken all of my DLA, and stolen every penny of my carers £60 pwk carers allowance. this has left us with so little we have had to sell off possessions to buy daily living. We are heartbroken & soul distroyed. Atos deliberately made up lies & disregarded important case paperwork at our interview.

Don't take a genius to see rent should be paid direct

Presenter: “One of the things about universal credit is that your rent is going to be going to you. What does that mean?” Keith: “There’s a fair chance the council won’t be getting it. I’m just terrible with money” 😭😭😭💀💀. I almost fell out my chair with the directness 🤣. These people need to be taught basic budgeting and financial literacy.

My mum is on UC and she is 65 years old,first time in her life she has had to claim benefits. She gets 90p left a month to pay for food. They are trying to get her into work but she can barely walk and they just tell her she isnt trying hard enough. UC is the worse and so many people are struggling.

The whole system seems carefully designed to victimise the most vulnerable. Not that that's much of a surprise coming from the "I'm allright Jack" Tories :-(

It's a bloody disaster. The rent should be paid direct to the Landlord.

Pay the rent directly to the Landlord or Councils... problem solved... the balance go to the family for personal use 😕

Giving the housing benefit straight to the person and not to the landlord is crazy!!

I don’t understand why Anthony was sanctioned for missing an appointment when he did in fact show up?

To those who have a job all i can say lets hope you dont get laid off or fall ill as this could be you, and thats why you should be allarmed at what this gov is doing ,and anyone could be next , this is far far more important than brexit or anything else.

I almost have to laugh at landlords. When you apply for Universal Credit, the average wait time is 5 weeks before you get your first payment, some people are waiting two to three months, any other benefits the person receives is stopped including housing benefit. That is an average of 5 weeks without any income whatsoever. No money for rent, food gas and electric, council tax, nothing. They automatically start going into debt not out of any choice of their own, they have no choice. Once their claim is finally processed and they get their first payment, after what could be months of barely surviving, living off food banks, the generosity of friends and family ( If they have any) and all of a sudden they get a huge amount of money. Of course they are not going to give it to their landlord. The first thing most are going to do is get the gas and electric back on (If it has been shut off) and stock the the place to the brim with food. A person who has been practically starved over what could be several months living off of barely anything but tinned food and starch (rice, pasta, etc) is not going to give a flying fig how much their landlord is owed. Especially if they have children.

Guy getting sanctioned when he turned up on time and the lady was on holiday for 2 weeks. Absolutely shocking!!! Why does it seem that that the system is constantly against these people.

Makes me so angry watching helpless people lost their homes

Food banks are acceptable now in this poxy Union. The sooner people wake up and stop accepting a government that couldn't give a damn the better.What we have is DIVISION

Your rent is the most important thing because it keeps a roof over your head. Set up a standing order with your bank and you don't have to remember to pay the landlord.

How is it Anthony’s fault his advisor is on holiday? They shouldn’t have let him make the appointmentOR they should’ve had a different advisor available. It’s beyond cruel - just what you expect from this horrific government

Why sanction the guy again when he was where he was supposed to be? What a ridiculously punitive and convoluted system...

They are literally making the poor poorer 🤨

What a stupid system. Seems like it was intentionally made to drive people out of council homes and into the streets. Sickening. Some of these people will end their lives. There is only so much hopelessness a human can endure.

After watching this film, is it not obvious that there is a direct correlation between the rise in mental health issues, particularly stress, anxiety and depression and the tortuous process of trying to claim benefits to which one may be entitled? If the government is serious about tackling mental health issues, it must surely have to recognise that financial worries play a significant role in provoking such problems. The huge cost involved in changing the benefits system has been a colossal waste of money, money that could, and should have been paid to the needy. So not only are the poor, poorer than ever before, but now they also face the prospect of mental illness as a result of anxiety, which will ultimately further reduce the prospect of being well enough to work, even if jobs, for which there is stiff competition, become available.

Can't watch any more of this too depressing

universal credit- what a joke!

All this while the Royals are flying around the world in private Jets.

Keith obviously has made the choice of not paying his rent! Anthony is £4K behind in his rent? What has he spent it on???

I don't understand why they stopped paying the landlords directly! That makes no sense! These people clearly can't manage money so pay the rent directly to the landlords. Atleast they would have a home!

It breaks my heart to see people struggle in this way.

Stop evicting people plssssssssssss 💔😞😢😢😢

people are literally dying because of this Tories: "the system is working just fine"

Rent in the hands of the tenants. Who didn't see this coming should be sacked.

People on the old benefits get almost double the money for child tax credits ppl who go onto universal credit get nothing even tho you work its disgrace-full everyone should get the same if there situations are the same

And you mean to tell me with all this going on, this country still has a "royal family"?

Still buying the smokes though.......

What did the idiot say at 25:03 ? Universal Credit is working well (it isn't); we've learnt in the process (they haven't); what we have is a system that is simpler (it isn't); which people understand (they don't); and ultimately make sure they get into work faster, stay in work longer and earn more (total fantasy).

I feel sorry for a lot of people and if I could help I will

Why would they pay benefits direct to the claimant? Many of the claimants struggle to manage their finances effectively

I dont even understand. They miss meetings. They say they dont have money but can buy alcohol and cigarette

Big thank you to the BBC for this programme, revealing the ongoing UC scandal and also for upholding free speech by allowing comments on this site.

I work all my life and since I was 18 am 40 now .... I lost my job two months ago only received £194 in two months ... where is my tax money... I just sold my car and other belonging just to survive.

That guy Paul Hickman did the right thing by the public in general by taking part in this documentary. Unfortunately I will bet he won't get many more jobs of this type since filming. 😔 To Paul Hickman I salute you sir!

I am confused.... If Universal Credit gives the recipient enough money to pay his/her rent, then why is the recipient not paying the rent regardless of any other obligations??? Anyone who wants to keep a roof over his/her head and does not own his/her own home, then s/he has to forward the rent amount to the landlord. You do not have the option of keeping the amount of the rent for any other reason. What am I missing here????

This is I Daniel Blake all over again screwing everyone over

How many of these people are still going to vote Tory?

Governments are owned by big business. They are determined that the rich will get richer and the poor will suffer. Adequate housing food clothing and medicine are basic human rights. Time to take the power from the rich and make society balanced. There is enough resources for everyone to have a decent life. The greed of the corporations is what makes this impossible.

It utterly disgusting that these people are being made homeless..Great Britain should ashamed of its policies and charity begins at home!

This is so upsetting. As a society, we need to get over our differences brexiteer/remainer, millennials/baby boomer, religious/aethiest, Black/white etc and we need to say NO MORE! We are in this situation because of greed. CEO payouts are bigger than ever whilst their workers wages dont move meaning they have to rely on government top ups. Disgusting, we are headed straight back to Victorian times! We must stand up!

Reduce the renting costs, and people will get back on their own two feets .

Really feel for all these people , have been in this situation myself & almost served a notice . UC really does need to pay the rent directly to Landlords , so people aren’t served with an eviction notice 😞

They must have known that to spoon-feed a group of people by paying everything for them for decades and then to give them a lump sum to manage each month was never going to work.

This universal credit is run from the same dark forces ruin this contry and this world i was in the same position get letters to repocesse my house it was very estress full 9 weeks took to sort this out i was praying every day for help and it work it was divine intervention because if not i was still waiting till now., i hope they change this to how it was before , people are sufering .

My partner is a disabled war veteran that suffers from Ptsd and was forced to quit his job due to his disability. We as a couple get £906 as a couple and our private rent is £650 which leaves us £256 to pay all other bills and eat.... We are ruined... serve your country for 10 years cripple yourself and get chucked in the gutter by that government you protected with your life.

We should be helping all the elderly! They're the ones who worked to make this country what it is and should be taken care of. What a disgrace that a 63 year old man has to worry about pawning things just to make a few extra dollars. What I'm not for is the able bodied adults with no kids, who are just too lazy to work. I don't want to support those people and none of us should have too. Kick their asses off it, they'll either sink or swim. Most of those people come from generations of living off benefits and were never taught to get schooling to better themselves or to work. If their parents didn't teach them that than the government should by kicking them off it and give it to people who truly deserve it.

Now let’s have a look at the tv license and see how being forced to pay that effects those on universal credit

Riot/ revolution lets get out on the streets and take back whats ours people!!!!!

It's even worse if your self employed & a single parent, they don't even meet you basic rate of council tax and rent Ever

Are people just stupid? Get money for rent -> Pay the rent. Not hard

Perhaps the tories should live by their system and see their benefits of being an MP sanctioned and living below the breadline. It makes me sick to see children and their families begging for food in this day and age. MP's should be really ashamed of their actions. Even more of what little they have done to correct this. We should sanction the MP's expenses ! see how long it would take then for the law to change

I’ve worked full time since I was 16 and paid into the system.Since I fell unwell over past 2 years I expected the system help me.Ive had nothing but sleepless nights and non stop money problems since put on UC from income related ESA. I’m so angry and frustrated at the whole system.☹️

Here in Switzerland there are specific social workers for those not able to handle finances, I’m sure it’s not cheap to run, but it makes more sense if you add up all the unpaid bills, court proceedings, etc. these are often very complicated situations that need to be somehow stabilised. One benefit isn’t a bad idea but it needs to be thought out properly

I dont agree that just because you have a child and decide not to work, that you should be on benefits. There are other options. He should be allowed to work with a benefit or if he does work full time, the government should offer free childcare.

dont vote conservative

My heart goes out to Anthony, I hope hes okay :(

Don't feed the kids...pay the rent...Sure children can go 28 days without food?

I think it would have been beneficial to do a systematic breakdown of the impact of sanctions, late payments, etc. for one of the people interviewed. I think that would remove what sounds a little like judgement about recipients’ ability to manage their money. If they are having to borrow to cover a gap when the rent money comes in they are so far behind (and it might not be enough to cover even current rent anyway) they will have to catch up on food, etc.

Seems to me in many cases it is not the fault of the system but rather people who cannot manage themselves big surprise there

Best of luck to Anita and Richard and their family, wish people would stop judging these families there doing there best in difficult times not everybody has computer skills and even the people working there have difficulties learning the system, I don't see anybody that's lazy just good honest people getting by, some of the comments left on this page is what's wrong with the U.K. The working class have been divided.

Just matter of time before food riots and crime rates all time high.

Can you please do a follow up on this BBC. I'm very interested in the outcomes of these people in 2022.

As the band UB40 once wrote in a song: "statistical reminder of a world that doesn't care" Pretty much sums up governments to a T.

One of the biggest issues for me and others on benefit is having to pay council tax. In the 90s when I was unemployed, you used to get a letter telling you that your jsa, housing and council tax benefit was the MINIMUM you could live off according to the law. Then they changed the way that the benefits went up with inflation. That knocked off a potential £10 increase or more to some people. To top it off now I amd others on JSA are expected to find over £200 out of our £73.10 or £3801.20 which then brings the weekly amount down to £68.29.

Of course most people won't have any savings to see them though as most have been in low paid jobs where it's been near poverty line. Then they lose the job, apply for benefits and have to wait such a long time while the rent and council tax mounts up. The debt trap starts where they never are able to catch up. Then you have this crazy idea of paying rent money directly. If you've got no food or heating and the rent money is there of course you are going to spend it! especially if you've got kids! Trouble is the powers that be have NO idea what it's like to be in poverty and they don't care!

The system has failed a lot of Hard working people. !!!

How in the hell would anybody be able to climb out of the hole that the government seems to be purposely putting them in?

It's all done by design. The result they got is the result they want!!!

R.I.P. Gt Britain!!! You are too soft. You raised the cost of living so high that both parents are always at work, rather than spending time with their children. You took God out of schools. Parents were told 'No you can't discipline your kids'. Kids have rights blah, blah, blah. Well, Gt Britain You shall reap what you sow, and we have lost a whole generation and turned them into rude, selfish, disrespectful brats who have no respect for people, property or authority! You deemed people with terminal illnesses and some with only a few months to live…fit for work!!! You allow our veterans of war to go homeless and hungry but give out millions to foreign aid!!! You stop people’s entitlement to welfare benefits thus leaving them so desperate that they commit suicide!! You put the retirement age up so people must work until they drop!! Things need to change! Copy & paste if you have the guts too!!! This generation also have hardly any respect for themselves sad sad messed up world it is😢

It sucks to live in the UK! Unless you have money

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔😢

My mother is disabled because of her back so its rare shes able to stand up for long once a day, never mind walk far which usually leads her to not being able to move until next week. She is really suffering through this too, we live in the middle of no where and she no longer has any mobility given to her and she is also constantly worried because her payments get delayed and stuff. The entire system makes me sick tbh ;/

We must go to the streets and demonstrate and stand up for are selfs

It's absolutely disgusting what they expect people to live on. The council can actually take the rent direct if you fall behind with it, with universal credit

I'm failing to understand how it's the governments fault that people aren't paying their rent? Shouldn't the goal be to get people to start taking personal responsibility instead of the government doing the leg work for them?? Sure paying the land lord directly is the "Common Sense" thing to do but is it the best thing for the people in the long run?? It seems all it does is keep them in the poverty cycle longer. When things are done for you and it becomes habit/routine, the harder it is to break and for them learn to stand on their two feet. Now if universal credit is less then previous payments, I can see the issue here. However if you are getting the same or more money then before and are making the choice to not pay your rent, that's on you not the government. How did these families survive when the Government was paying the landlord directly?