Amber Rudd: Universal Credit system has ‘transformed lives’

Amber Rudd has insisted the Government's much-criticised Universal Credit system has "transformed lives" as she returned to the Cabinet, months after being forced to step down as Home Secretary over the Windrush scandal.

Ms Rudd made a dramatic return to the Cabinet on Friday, following a chaotic week in Theresa May’s government.

Ms Rudd has been appointed as work and pensions secretary, as Mrs May seeks to bolster her position following backlash to her Brexit deal.

The new role will see Ms Rudd replace Esther McVey.

Diane Abbott criticised the appointment of Ms Rudd back to a Cabinet post so soon after the Windrush scandal.

Writing on Twitter, the Shadow Home Secretary said: "Amber Rudd resigned because of her mismanagement of Windrush scandal. Now Theresa May puts her in the DWP.

"Let's hope she shows more concern for the victims of this department's unfairness and cruelty than she did at the Home Office."

Speaking after being appointed, Ms Rudd said she pledges to “iron out” problems with Universal Credit – which has been accused of leaving vulnerable people destitute.

In an interview with broadcasters on Friday evening, Ms Rudd said as a one-nation Tory she wanted to "make sure that we really do help everybody across the country".

Asked whether responsibility for Universal Credit was a "poisoned chalice", she replied: "I have seen Universal Credit do some fantastic things.

"In my constituency in Hastings and Rye, it really has transformed lives.

"But I also recognise that there have been some issues with it, some problems with it.

"I see it very much as my job, my role, to make sure that I try to iron out those difficulties so it becomes a force wholly for good."

Her appointment came on the day a United Nations envoy warned Universal Credit waiting times have "plunged people into misery and despair".

Professor Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights said the introduction of Universal Credit has caused extreme hardship but could easily be reversed by the Government.

A National Audit Office report released in June found food bank use in Hastings had risen by 80% since UC was rolled out there.

However, it also added: "There were also increases prior to full service being rolled out, which aligns with the Trussell Trust's analysis of a general increase nationwide."

Universal Credit had been attacked by MPs from across politics over the slowness of payments made to claimants, which was said to have left many reliant on food banks and payday lenders to make ends meet.

It replaces six existing benefits - Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit - with a single payment.

The rollout started with new recipients in pilot areas in 2013.

Additional reporting by Press Association