Spending watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO) has criticised the implementation of the Government’s Universal Credit welfare reforms, which it claims have “not achieved value for money”. In a damning report the NAO said the policy was overambitious, had been badly managed and has already wasted £34 million of taxpayers’ money. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Liam Byrne MP, claimed universal credit was at risk of becoming a “sinking ship”. However, Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith MP, has rejected criticism of the scheme and insisted it will be delivered “on time and on budget”.
