The note here tries to summarise the highlights of the BBC2 Series on Universal Credit (UC), but what exactly is Universal Credit?

It is generally a monthly payment that falls into a claimants bank account once a month and this can be a real difficulty for those who can only manage from week to week.

In the new system, benefit payments are reduced at a consistent rate as income and earnings increase - for every extra £1 you earn after tax, you will lose 63p in benefits.

It can take up to 5 or 6 weeks to process a payment and lately those expecting a payment can be advanced a payment that will be subtracted from the eventual payout when it comes. The process of receiving the advanced payment is not as easy as it sounds. The same system operates a foodbank voucher system.

IT is regularly claimed that the Universal Credit System was designed by those with little understanding of poverty according to those MPs who consistently work towards the abolition of the system.

There are currently 2.231 million claimants and this is growing as people move from the more traditional benefit system to UC. It should have been fully rolled out by 2017 and is being designed to last for the next 40 years.

It is true to say that UC has driven people to destitution but is now trying to address some of the most difficult criticisms. Previously payments were paid directly to landlords now payments made to claimant and they have to pay. Explanation is that Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are trying to get people to manage for themselves. This is presumptive and doesn't work.

Those who are out of work and apply for benefit must appear at a job-centre where they will meet a job coach (who has another 149 claimants to look after) and they are effectively coached back into work.

The claimant must agree to commitments if not adhered to will affect the claimants payment. They must keep up with all commitments and revised commitments until such time as they are no longer in receipt of benefits.

The system works against those who are only 1 payment away from homelessness and also for those in later middle age.

Amber Rudd is the 6th MP with responsibility for UC. It remains INTENSELY SCRUTINISED and operates a closed door policy to reporters.

Those sanctioned now to spend 6 months suspended from benefit receipt as opposed to 3 years that had been introduced. There has been a Select Committee report on sanctions, such was the uproar.

Many with debts are kept in stress and debt despite best efforts. Staff are quite mannerly and helpful. Staff know the money is poor. Staff do care but can only assist within the limits of their possibilities and within what the UC System allows. By their own admission they would do any job to get off UC as the whole process is utterly stressful for the claimant.

Episode 2

What becomes more difficult for the claimant is that if the hope is that they would eventually secure 35 hours of employment that this then is the amount of time per week that they must spend looking for work.

A lot of jobs advertised are part time and a claimant may have to secure a second job or even a third can sometimes be necessary. All of this work is at minimum wage and as employer rush to a zero hours contract work is precarious and the dependence upon UC can be more regular than previously which adds to the stress of those who claim.

Personal Contact is key but the quality of the visit can be compromised by the lack of time afforded per claimant and for those who have to get two buses to their short appointment to renew their commitments it can be very disheartening and dis-empowering. The UC system has been described as a bully. Staff do try to get people be the best version of themselves.

The Job Centre does not make the decision about the validity of a claim this is done off site by the Service Providers and this leaves staff at a disadvantage when queried as to the reason for denial of payment. Since 2010 £37 billion have been cut from the welfare budget with a reduction in staff of 25000 people in job-centres.

Some comments from Claimants:

"Minimum wage is £8.20 per hour for cleaning up another person's vomit that makes you vomit yourself".

"UC depersonalises and makes you feel a number and not a person".

"Taking horrible jobs because they have no choice".

"UC is a bully".

"Claim closes after 7 days of you not accept your commitments which must be online and that can be a difficulty for many".

"It is conceivable that staff in the jobcentre could at some stage be working for 20 hours but be in need of UC".

"It can take too long in some cases to make and receive a claim ".

"Enduring sense of hopelessness when consigned to permanently looking for work to make up the hours".

"UC eats into your confidence and there is no doubt that your self esteem suffers".