Oldham MP: Covid responsible for over 50% of Universal Credit claimants Date published: 22 January 2021
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams
Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has stated that over half of the 14,633 people receiving Universal Credit (UC) in her constituency started to claim social security support since the pandemic began.
In a House of Commons speech during which she urged the Government to keep the £20 ‘uplift’ for people claiming Universal Credit, and to extend this to people on legacy support, the local MP said: “As the Covid crisis hit, not everyone could work from home and it was the low paid, in vulnerable sectors such as hospitality and leisure, who’ve been most affected, driving the increase in UC claimants.
BBC News
By Kevin Peachey
image copyrightGetty Images
Fraudsters are sending out bogus text messages about the coronavirus vaccine in an attempt to steal bank details.
The scam tells recipients they are eligible to apply for your vaccine with a link to a bogus NHS website, trading standards officers have warned.
That, in turn, asks for personal information and - crucially - bank details for verification .
The warning comes the same day as MPs heard that Covid is leading some people into the net of pension fraudsters.
The fake NHS message is one of a range of scams which have sought to take advantage of the pandemic and the isolation and legitimate worries of potential victims, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
FCA identifies 30,000 instances of unregulated activity in last 12 months
Calls for more cash to fund scam prevention campaigns
The FCA has called for more money into tackling pension scams.
The regulator identified 30,000 instances of unregulated activity in the last year and needs more investment to better tackle pension scams, FCA executive director of enforcement and market oversight Mark Steward told MPs.
Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee today (6 January) about tackling pension scams, Steward (pictured) said the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has received 10,000 investment fraud-related cases.
Sign In
To read this story please register
PA is dedicated to championing professional advisers. It helps you build your business, service clients and generate sustainable income.