Universal Credit Expansion Is 'A Disaster Waiting To Happen'

Citizens Advice is warning that the expansion of Universal Credit is 'a disaster waiting to happen', as new findings show it is pushing people further into debt. Citizens Advice analysed over 50,000 cases where it has helped people with their debt problems and found that for those on Universal Credit:

·         79% have priority debts such a rent or council tax, putting them at greater risk of eviction, visits from bailiffs, being cut off from energy supplies and even prison - compared to (69%) on legacy benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance or Housing Benefit. 

·         2 in 5 (41%) have no money available to pay creditors as their monthly spend on essential living costs is more than their income.

·         Typically people on Universal Credit only have around £3 a month left to pay creditors.

Read more on the CAB website.

Right-To-Buy Will Be “Disastrous” For Rural Communities

An academic specialising in rural housing issues has warned that the Government’s Right-to-Buy housing policies will have an “especially disastrous” impact on rural communities. “There is already a shortage of affordable housing, especially in rural areas where there is little social housing,” said Professor Mark Shucksmith ONE, director of the Newcastle University Institute for Social Renewal.  “Rural house prices are on average 26% higher than in urban areas, and the ratio of house prices to local earnings is even worse. Disposing of housing association stock, at great cost to the taxpayer, will make the impact on rural communities much more serious.. With housing association properties sold off, and unlikely to be replaced in any substantial quantities, the wealth divide in rural communities will deepen even further.” Read more on the Housing Excellence website.