Social security payments, such as Universal Credit, are at an all time low, says report by IPPR think tank. Local campaign groups GM Poverty action and GM Unite Community comment on the situation. IPPR offer solution of an emergency funding package that they calculate would benefit those in need more, and cost the public purse […]
Community union publish Universal Credit survival guide
Increasing numbers of people across Greater Manchester are being signed up or switched over to the controversial and heavily criticised Universal Credit system. To help those struggling to cope with the change to the new welfare system, Greater Manchester Unite Community Branch (GMUCB) have published a Universal Credit survival guide. Universal Credit, the Tory and […]
In Salford 79% of Universal Credit tenants are in rent arrears
Guest article from the Salford Star: Figures released in a new report to be seen by Salford councillors next week show that 79% of housing tenants claiming Universal Credit are in arrears averaging £689. This compares with 33.6% of tenants not claiming Universal Credit in arrears with average balance of £414. Campaigners have labelled the […]
Campaigners collaborate to call for an end to Universal Credit based evictions
Members of four community campaign groups from Manchester joined forces yesterday to take part in a national day of action against Universal Credit. The paving stones of St Peter’s Square were covered with chalked slogans denouncing the controversial social security payment system, and a letter was presented to Manchester Town Hall demanding an end to […]
Disabled People Against Cuts are calling for an end to the ‘conscious cruelty’ of Universal Credit
Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) are calling for Universal Credit (UC) to be stopped and scrapped due to its multiple flaws, and old welfare payments to be reinstated. This report covers DPAC’s talk at this years Lush Summit where they explained the devastating effect UC is having on people claiming it. DPAC’s #StopAndScrap Universal Credit […]
DWP: Are you poor and over 60? Get to work or drop dead. We’re here to help etc
This week’s Friends Of The Meteor guest article is by Kate Belgrave, who visited Stockport’s brand-new jobcentre and spoke with attendees about the farcical rules that jobseekers almost at pension age must follow to qualify for Universal Credit.
Autumn of Action to follow Summer of Solidarity
Trades Unions are working together with community groups to organise action against poor pay & conditions, and the cost-of-living crisis. I attended the first of many planned ‘town hall’ meetings in Greater Manchester designed to inform and prepare locals to fight back against a broken system.
The rising costs and lost life chances of living in temporary accommodation
Revealed: homeless households in Manchester see a 42% increase in the time spent living in temporary accommodation in just two years, while the cost to the council goes through the roof.
The Meteor speaks to people living in the limbo land of temporary accommodation, and asks what is the alternative?
Loan sharks are circling in North Manchester: debt awareness is key to fending them off
Chain Reactions debt awareness event aims to help the increasing numbers of families struggling with debt, which threatens to drag them down with it, due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Bev Craig announces ambition for a ‘Real Living Wage’ Manchester
Laying out her vision for the city for the first time as leader of Manchester city council, Bev Craig said social value should be an ‘approach that we all take’, starting with a Real Living Wage.