Councils Losing £6.7m In Universal Credit Arrears

A new survey from the NFA and ARCH has revealed the total shortfall in rent from tenants claiming Universal Credit is £6.68m. That represents a significant chunk of the £68.5m total value of council rent arrears from landlords surveyed, despite Universal Credit claimants only making up 2.6% of tenants. A report accompanying the survey said the roll-out should be stopped or slowed “to prevent further distress and financial hardship to many families, as well as unprecedented levels of rent arrears and demand for support from landlords”. Almost three-quarters of Universal Credit claimants – or 73% – were in arrears, owing an average of £772.21, up from £611.73 a year earlier. Read more on Inside Housing.