Universal credit rules irrational and unlawful, judge says

Four single mothers have secured a victory over the government after the appeal court ruled that rigid universal credit payment rules that leave tens of thousands of working benefit claimants out of pocket were irrational and unlawful.

The case revolved around the Department for Work and Pensions’ refusal to change universal credit assessment period regulations, which have the effect of penalising claimants whose salary is paid towards the end of a month, resulting in fluctuating levels of income.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/22/universal-credit-rules-irrational-and-unlawful-judge-says

I wonder if DWP will amend the situation in view of this judgement.

DWP abandons legal battle to avoid fixing universal credit design flaw

The Department for Work and Pensions has abandoned its lengthy legal battle to avoid fixing a “perverse” design feature in universal credit that has left thousands of working claimants hundreds of pounds a year out of pocket.

The minister for welfare delivery, Will Quince, told MPs he accepted that the DWP must correct the feature, which has resulted in serious budgeting problems for some claimants who are paid at the end of the month.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/25/dwp-abandons-legal-battle-to-avoid-fixing-universal-credit-design-flaw