More than 500,000 apply for Universal Credit in nine days

Half a million people in the UK applied for Universal Credit in the space of nine days, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed yesterday. According to benefits experts, only a small proportion of them will be able to get access to support because the DWP phone lines are inundated with calls. Usually applicants would be required to visit their local job centre however this is not possible due to COVID-19. It is thought that the disabled, elderly or vulnerable are most held back because they are less likely to apply online. One person enquiring about Universal Credit ...