While everyone’s focused on the Autumn Statement, the Tories’ universal credit scheme has gone seriously wrong
The Conservative government’s controversial universal credit scheme may face an investigation. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has called for the probe after its pilot of the scheme had drastic consequences: it is making people homeless.
One not so neat little package
The Coalition government introduced universal credit in 2010. The scheme combines six benefits and tax credits into one payment. While its implementation began in 2013, Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green claims it will be completed in 2022.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is piloting the scheme in full. But its implementation is so damaging to residents that the council has called on the government to intervene.
It has demanded the government start communicating with it over the difficulties, axe one element of the scheme entirely, and launch an investigation into its impact.
Making a monumental c*ck-up of universal credit
The council relayed its demands in a letter to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). And it explained that the housing benefit element of universal credit is making people homeless. Due to delays in claimants receiving payments, some landlords are evicting tenants – while others are rejecting any potential tenants subject to the scheme. The letter reads:
It is in everyone’s interests to ensure that the implementation of UC [universal credit] happens as smoothly as possible. The borough council is working closely with partners, including JobCentre Plus, to support people through the transition
However, since the roll-out began in April, councillors have been faced with growing evidence about the way the process has been managed which is causing major concern for landlords and councillors, as well as unnecessary stress and anxiety for claimants who are left without income for a significant period of time
Read on...
Support us and go ad-free
The delays in payments, with some claims taking over eight weeks to process, are also financially damaging the council, because its social housing tenants are in rent arrears. And those who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation often do not receive their universal credit payment until they have left. So the council loses income from that source, too.
As a result, the council wants the housing benefit element removed from the scheme entirely.
Desperate times need desperate measures
A DWP spokesperson called the letter “misleading”, and insisted that the government works “closely with local authorities” to ensure those involved are supported. But this council has councillors from a number of different political parties, including many Conservatives, and the letter was a cross-party one.
Controversy has marred universal credit since its introduction. It has been fraught with delays and costly technical failures that have humiliated the Conservative government. And now, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has broken down the real life damage it can do.
That is unlikely to stop the Conservative government. Universal credit is an important milestone in its callous attack on the welfare state. But at least this letter, arriving just before budget day, highlights one important point: that the Conservative government is as inept as it is cruel.
And that’s the calibre of politician plotting the UK’s financial and social future for the next four years at least.
Get Involved!
– Take action with The People’s Assembly against cuts.
– Learn more about Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC).
– Support The Canary if you appreciate the work we do.
Featured image via Tom Donnelly/YouTube
Support us and go ad-freeWe know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support
The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.
The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.
So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.
