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Brits on Universal Credit should have billions of pounds of old debts WRITTEN OFF, experts say NewsColony BRITS on Universal Credit should have billions of pounds worth of old debts written off, experts have said today. Nearly two thirds of people on the six-in-one benefits system (around 1.5million people) are struggling to repay historic debts which were slapped on them when they switched to it. 1 Brits on Universal Credit should get their historic debts written off Credit: Alamy The Institute for Government warned that £6bn worth of debt dates back to overpayments of tax credits in the past. And the think tank argues that the five week wait and historic debt payments risk damaging Universal Credit’s reputation. Ministers are urged to write off billions of pounds of debts from years ago, or slow down the repayments. And experts recommended that ministers give a week week “welcome grant” to Brits coming onto Universal Credit from other benefits. Many don’t even realise t...