Ritchie questions progress on Universal Credit
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has raised questions around the status of the Universal Credit roll-out following a report by the National Audit Office, which revealed that 37 projects due to be completed by 2020 have been judged “unachievable” or “in-doubt” by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
The Authority monitors the progress of projects including Universal Credit, HS2 and the new nuclear power point at Hinkley Point.
Speaking to Newry Times, Ritchie said, “The roll-out of Universal Credit has been repeatedly delayed and the entire management of the project has been farcical. The handing of Northern Ireland’s welfare powers to the Tory Government by Sinn Fein and the DUP makes this a very real problem for constituents in the North.”
She added, “The recent report by the National Audit Office did not specify which projects have received amber or red warnings but it is highly likely Universal Credit is high on the list. I have tabled questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Cabinet Office in order to determine just how badly the forecast for Universal Credit is.”
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