We the undersigned wish to express our profound disquiet at the roll-out of digital Universal Credit (UC). The Government’s plans will continue to replace all means-tested social security benefits and tax credits for those of working age, across Greater Manchester and beyond. We believe that we should not stand for such wilful ignorance of the impacts of the new system. We urge individuals, groups, organisations, MPs, councillors, landlords and housing associations to stand in solidarity against the Universal Credit roll-out. Signed and shared by: Greater Manchester Law Centre, GM Poverty Action, Big Issue North, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett, Salford Council Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Team, Salford Star, People's Plan GM, Coffee 4 Craig, St Mungo's Unite, Kill the Housing Bill, Cllr Gary Bridges, Cllr Bev Craig, Cllr Basat Sheik, Cllr Richard Leese, Council Labour Group, Manchester Shield, Withington Lib Dems. As this catastrophe unfolds the shortcomings and blind spots of UC have increasingly become clear. The following are the six issues, faced by individuals and families, which concern us most: 1. People are experiencing waits of six to twelve weeks (sometimes longer) for their first payment of Universal Credit. Consequently, people are spiraling into debt and rent arrears which they may find it impossible to recover from. 2. Universal Credit claims can only be processed online through a system called verify which cannot be completed without requisite ID or computer access. Some of the most vulnerable people, such as those who are disabled, precariously housed, homeless or non-UK citizens, find it extremely difficult to claim. This both lengthens the waiting period for first payments and makes it difficult for individuals to maintain their claims, putting them at risk of sanctions. 3. Sanctions are being applied erratically and arbitrarily in relation to UC. There is mounting evidence highlighting unfair use of sanctions, for example individuals have received them for being at work and missing their work focused interview. Full service roll-out will also bring housing benefit into the realm of sanctions, directly increasing the risk of evictions and homelessness. 4. Under UC many will see a reduction in their financial entitlement and will be living off substantially less money. In some cases individuals will be around £100-£300 less well off per month than on previous legacy benefits like Employment and Support Allowance and Severe Disability Premium . Disabled people and those with debilitating heath conditions will be pushed further into poverty as a result. 5. Young People aged 18-25 will be disproportionately affected by UC, . For example, those aged between 18-21 will not be entitled to housing benefit under UC unless in an exempt category. The exemptions will not cover thousands of at risk young people, resulting in mounting debt and homelessness. 6. Evidence suggests that UC is pushing more children and families into poverty. Unjust elements of UC like the two child limit do not support working or non-working families. Direct links to welfare reform, specifically UC are causing professionals to highlight the risk of more children going into care and families becoming homeless. We call on the Government to halt the roll-out while all of the problems are reviewed, to avoid creating unnecessary suffering. Universal Credit, if rolled out in its current form, is a Universal Catastrophe that will place an unsustainable burden on the finances of local authorities, charitable organisations and support services who will ultimately be left to pick up the pieces.

Changing SMI from being a benefit to a loan will mean that yet again many of our vulnerable people will end up further into debt. Also the fact that this has been done relatively on the quiet is another example of this governments rough shod ways of dealing with the most vulnerable people within our society.

Childhood trauma is often overlooked, greatly misunderstood and one of the most damaging things that can happen to a child. Childhood trauma is often complex and can be catastrophic leaving a lifetime of struggles in almost all facets of life. The younger a person is when exposed to trauma the higher their risk of developing trauma related disorders including learning disorders, developmental disorders, cognitive deficits, attention issues and attachment disorders and so much more. My son aged 8 was diagnosed with PTSD in july 2016 after a major event that happened in December 2015. Weve had to fight every service and still to this day hes not getting the support he requires to live a life he deserves none of this was him fault. The services my son requires dont even exist anymore which again is down to funding cuts. In 2015 the goverment put in place a five year forward plan and two years on there has been no major change to the system. My son has been failed on 7 out of the 12 strategies stated in the plan...... These failed children are our future so WHY ARENT WE INVESTING INTO MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN FLORISH NOT FAIL IN SOCIETY...

Dorset currently face cuts in real terms of £4.2 million by 2020, equivalent to the loss of 111 teachers. 129 of 162 Dorset schools are facing cuts by 2020. This will mean our children face the loss of talented teachers, dedicated teaching assistants, specialist support staff, enrichment activities and even adequate equipment in classes. Additionally, these cuts will mean our children face a narrower curriculum, delivered with growing class sizes, possibly without a qualified teacher in the room. Dorset is a diverse county with children coming from a range of rural and urban settings, with many backgrounds and abilities. All of these children deserve to have their needs met so that they can achieve all that they can. These cuts will deprive our children of a bright future which should be theirs.

Aldershot has never seen as many rough sleepers as it has in the last few years. For some years now a Winter shelter was provided by the council and this year apparently they cannot afford it! Street homeless people die in extreme weather . Doing nothing means the council believe it’s the problem of those who find themselves homeless, whereas truth be known it’s society’s problem. These individuals often have very complex issues- mental health and addictions etc, they are very vulnerable and need a lot of input. We cannot just cast people aside like rubbish because they don’t ‘fit’ in our community in our opinion.

Dialysis is an essential treatment that keeps Renal patients alive, it is not a cure. We cannot decide whether to miss a session due to lack of funds but that is what we are being forced to do

We are requesting that Leicestershire County Council make changes to their street lighting policy to keep our street lights on throughout the night. Everyday, after midnight, our streets are plunged into darkness. This has increased the incidence of crime including house and car burglaries within the area. As residents of Oadby Grange, we feel that switching certain street lights off after midnight, results in extremely vulnerable areas that are targeted as they are totally unlit. In addition to the actual increase in break ins, the part-lighting scheme, also poses a huge risk to the well-being and safety of residents. With many residents being shift workers including hospital doctors, nurses, police officers etc, it places these individuals at great risk when entering their homes late at night in complete darkness especially since many of whom would be fatigued after working a long, late shift. As residents, we can supply a series of personal CCTV footage displaying such crimes, specifically in these unlit areas, to support our claim. It is not safe for us and we have had enough of living in fear! SWITCH ON OUR STREET LIGHTS!!!

Our population has grown year on year due to housing development and our policing has dropped from double figure and a police station to one PC covering 52 square miles and no police station. This puts our town at risk.

Cranbrook is a vastly growing town with a huge population of children under 5. In fact we are in the top 5% of the country and to take away a service that has been offered for nearly 5 years at this thriving group is a huge blow. Our group is inclusive and caters to children of all ages up to preschool and so is much more suibale for parents who have children of various preschool age. This group supports families old and new and helps people forge friendships in what can sometime be an isolating time in new parents lives, especially if they are new to the area. Baby weigh and health services were a big lifeline to new parents as they could meet other new mums and dads and often their children will grow up with the group and stay with us until they start preschool. Now we have lost this vital service, we have lost a lot of babies coming to group which in turn may mean we will not have the toddler's coming along when the babies grow up. We are aware there is a Tuesday session available but by all accounts this day is not suitable for all and by taking away the Thursday session it will put more pressure on the Tuesday group with waiting times and maybe not being able to seek the advice needed from the health worker in attendance as so many people will want the same.

There are a huge number of children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within Liverpool and across the UK. Following an ASD diagnosis, it is vital that parents/carers are supported and have access to quality professional training to help their child. Liverpool City Council provides good quality ASD training to parents/carers that is delivered by two fantastic professionals who have a wealth of knowledge around ASD and it's associated conditions. This is a lifeline to parents/carers helping them to gain an insight and understanding around autism, along with an opportunity for them to gain greater confidence, strategies and knowledge to support their child. Liverpool City Council are currently consulting regarding a number of service review proposals. One of the proposals is to delete the ASD training team from the council structure. Cutting this service and the training team, will have a huge impact upon many, many children and their families, and have an effect upon their mental health and wellbeing now and in the future.

to help stoke sufferers and their carers

It's not fair to leave the older generation on the estate without the freedom of this hourly service. Often they only need to pop into town and then return on the hourly bus. To have to wait 2 hours for a return bus is unacceptable.