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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Stop benefit change, say Lib Dems | Stop benefit change, say Lib Dems |
| (5 days later) | |
| A top Liberal Democrat has called on the government to cancel changes which will leave millions without their social security benefit for a week. | A top Liberal Democrat has called on the government to cancel changes which will leave millions without their social security benefit for a week. |
| Lone parents, widows, disabled and unemployed people paid weekly are to move to fortnightly payments. | Lone parents, widows, disabled and unemployed people paid weekly are to move to fortnightly payments. |
| The Department for Work and Pensions says no-one will lose out as they will be offered a loan to cover the gap. | The Department for Work and Pensions says no-one will lose out as they will be offered a loan to cover the gap. |
| But Steve Webb MP says he will ask Parliament to reverse the change when MPs return after Easter. | But Steve Webb MP says he will ask Parliament to reverse the change when MPs return after Easter. |
| The Liberal Democrat shadow secretary of state told BBC Radio 4's Money Box: "I was appalled when I heard the department was going to change the rules. It is driven by bureaucrats. | The Liberal Democrat shadow secretary of state told BBC Radio 4's Money Box: "I was appalled when I heard the department was going to change the rules. It is driven by bureaucrats. |
| "The whole thing is going to cause huge disruption to people who are already having a hard time. | "The whole thing is going to cause huge disruption to people who are already having a hard time. |
| "There will be additional hassle as they apply for a loan to get the money they thought they were going to get anyway and then will be worse off for 12 weeks while they repay it." | "There will be additional hassle as they apply for a loan to get the money they thought they were going to get anyway and then will be worse off for 12 weeks while they repay it." |
| For someone on basic Jobseeker's Allowance of £64.30 a week, it would mean a deduction from their benefit of £5.35 a week for 12 weeks. | For someone on basic Jobseeker's Allowance of £64.30 a week, it would mean a deduction from their benefit of £5.35 a week for 12 weeks. |
| 'Crazy' | 'Crazy' |
| About 120,000 widows who are currently paid weekly in advance will be moved in two stages - first to weekly payments in arrears when they will be given an extra week's benefit to cover the gap. | About 120,000 widows who are currently paid weekly in advance will be moved in two stages - first to weekly payments in arrears when they will be given an extra week's benefit to cover the gap. |
| And secondly to fortnightly in arrears when they will be offered the loan. | And secondly to fortnightly in arrears when they will be offered the loan. |
| We have tried to work out a system where we are simplifying it in a way that causes minimum disruption DWP Minister Rosie Winterton | We have tried to work out a system where we are simplifying it in a way that causes minimum disruption DWP Minister Rosie Winterton |
| Rosie Winterton, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions told Money Box: "No-one will lose out as a result of the change but we want to make the [payment] process simpler and through that improve the service to customers. | Rosie Winterton, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions told Money Box: "No-one will lose out as a result of the change but we want to make the [payment] process simpler and through that improve the service to customers. |
| "We are moving to how most people in work are in paid - in arrears." | "We are moving to how most people in work are in paid - in arrears." |
| And she said the loan would be affordable: "It is paid back in a very gradual way. What we have tried to do is work out a system where we are simplifying it in a way that causes minimum disruption." | And she said the loan would be affordable: "It is paid back in a very gradual way. What we have tried to do is work out a system where we are simplifying it in a way that causes minimum disruption." |
| But Steve Webb said: "Lib Dems will be pressing for them to stop this change. We've got two years of hassle for people and Parliament has to say 'this is crazy, stop it'". | But Steve Webb said: "Lib Dems will be pressing for them to stop this change. We've got two years of hassle for people and Parliament has to say 'this is crazy, stop it'". |
| The process of converting people began on 6 April and will continue over two years up to 31 March 2011. | The process of converting people began on 6 April and will continue over two years up to 31 March 2011. |
| The new system has applied to all new claims from 6 April 2009. | The new system has applied to all new claims from 6 April 2009. |
| BBC Radio 4's Money Box will be broadcast on Saturday 11 April 2009 at 1204 BST. | BBC Radio 4's Money Box will be broadcast on Saturday 11 April 2009 at 1204 BST. |
| The programme was repeated on Sunday 12 April 2009 at 2102 BST. |