The government's Universal Credit, which is replacing Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support, is supposed to provide that safety net but its introduction has been a farce. In 2011 the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said that over one million people would be claiming Universal Credit by April 2014. The number claiming was fewer than six thousand. At present it will be 3236 before the government's target for roll out is achieved, but what faces claimants once they are on Universal Credit is also deeply worrying.

Currently only Hammersmith in London is trialling Universal Credit but a recent report by the TUC set out what awaits future claimants.

At this time most people who lose their jobs have to wait two weeks before they get their first benefit payment; with Universal Credit this wait could be over five weeks, meaning that people could go into two months of rent arrears before they receive any cash support. According to the TUC's research over 40,000 Londoners could be hit by this but, according to YouGov polling fewer than one in seven people have heard about it.

While we should all save more (it is recommended that we should have savings that could cover three months of essential outgoings) it's not possible for many. I dread to think how many more people would be coming to MPs' surgeries if they had to wait over 5 weeks for help if they had fallen on hard times. People will risk losing their homes and getting into a spiral of debt, often prompting recourse to pay day lenders who make their situation a thousand times worse.

We need a responsive benefits system which can provide a safety net when things go wrong. Universal Credit, its roll out and its implementation is undermining that. The TUC has launched the 'Saving our Safety Net' campaign. You can find out more about this issue, sign the petition and get involved by visiting http://savingoursafetynet.org/

• Allowing TfL to refuse payments from unauthorised third party websites, many of which overcharge Congestion Charge customers.
  
• Removing the option to pay the Congestion Charge by text message and introducing a new app for smartphones and smart devices which will enable faster payments and access to account information.
  

For more information and to respond to the consultation, please visit tfl.gov.uk/ccyourviews.

The consultation closes on 12th September 2014.

Don’t make your home an easy target for burglars - that’s the message from the Metropolitan Police to south London residents and home-owners ahead of the summer holiday period.

Police in south London are advising residents to keep their homes secure, whether they’re in or out, to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary.

Officers from Safer Neighbourhoods Teams across south London will be looking out for vulnerable homes over the next few weeks. Traditionally there is a rise in the number of burglaries at insecure premises at this time of year as burglars break in through unlocked or open doors and windows.

Burglars are operating both during the daytime and overnight and several homes with UPVC doors that have not been fully locked have also been targeted by thieves. 

Overall, residential burglary across London has fallen by 11.4% over the past 12 months compared to the previous year, but police are keen to remind residents that they have a part to play in continuing this downward trend.

Police are issuing the following top tips to help residents avoid getting burgled over the summer:

• Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
  
• Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com
• Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows.
  
• Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if you feel anxious.
  
• Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
  
• Keep your valuables out of sight.
  
• Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home.
  
• Install a visible burglar alarm.
  
• Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked.
  
• Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.
  

If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your area call 999.

For more information and crime prevention advice on home security, visit: www.metbumblebee.org