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.

Construction Sector Grows At Fastest Pace In Seven Months

The British construction sector expanded at its fastest pace since March last month, buoyed by a strong performance in residential projects as output and volumes picked up in the months after the country's Brexit vote.  The closely-watched Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 52.6 last month, compared with analysts' expectations for a 51.8 figure and with the 52.3 reading recorded in September. A reading above the 50.0 mark indicates growth, and October was the first time in four months the sector had reported signs of expansion. Read more on the IBT website.

First Phase Universal Credit National Roll-Out Announced

Following the roll out of Universal Credit in the north-west of England, the DWP has provided details of the first tranche of national expansion to local authorities and jobcentres. Universal Credit will roll out to new claims from single people, who would otherwise have been eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance, including those with existing Housing Benefit and Working Tax Credit claims. Details are in a list of the tranche one roll out sites that will begin to deliver Universal Credit between February and April 2015. Download full details from the NLA website.

Welfare Reform - Written Ministerial Statement

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith MP):

Today I can confirm plans for the next stage of implementing Universal Credit to all remaining Jobcentres and Local Authorities as we progress national expansion through 2015/16 and secure delivery of Universal Credit across Great Britain. Universal Credit claims are now taken in over 50 Jobcentres and will be available in nearly 100 Jobcentres by Christmas – more than 1 in 8 across Great Britain. We have increased the groups who can claim Universal Credit to include couples and,from this autumn, we will extend this further to include families in the North West. Now national expansion will progress from February 2015 to all remaining Jobcentres and Local Authorities for new single claimants previously eligible for Jobseekers Allowance, including those with existing Housing Benefit and Tax Credit claims. Read more on the Parliament website.

Troubled Families Programme Expanded To Help Younger Children

Eric Pickles has announced details of an expansion of the government’s Troubled Families programme. Work will begin this year in 51 of the best performing areas, ahead of a national 5 year programme from 2015 to help more troubled families who cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds per year without intervention. Recent research shows that troubled families that have been worked with so far have an average of 9 serious problems such as truancy, crime, anti-social behaviour, worklessness and domestic violence. As well as expanding from working with school-age children to those under 5, the wider programme will also have a particular focus on improving poor health, which new data published today highlights is a particular problem in troubled families, with 71% having a physical health problem and 46% a mental health concern. Read more on the CLG website.

Autumn Statement 2013: The Key Points for Housing

·         Unblocking stalled sites for housebuilding - £1bn in loans over six years to unlock sites for large housing developments.

·         Council borrowing caps raised - increased housing revenue account borrowing limit by £300m

·         Selling expensive social housing - Councils will be forced to sell expensive social housing

·         Welfare spending cap - a new cap on total welfare spending. Jobseekers allowance and state pensions will be excluded from the cap.

·         Right-to-buy expansion - The government will set aside a £100m fund to expand the right-to-buy

·         Help to Buy boost - Two further banks, Aldermore and Virgin, will sign up to Help to Buy

·         Priority 'right to move' - Employed residents who need to move for a job will be given priority

·         Capital gains tax exemptions lifted for non-UK residents  - Non-UK residents selling residential property that is not their main home will pay capital gains tax

Read more on the Guardian website.

£17 Million Support to Help Communities Build

Housing Minister Mark Prisk has announced the fund which will offer additional support to people with plans and ideas for their neighbourhood, from self-build homes to community shops.  The minister said the money will ensure that those wishing to realise their vision will no longer be put off building by the challenges of design and permissions. Until now, the £17 million pot was earmarked solely to help Community Right to Build projects develop their proposals. But to ensure that local building plans can access the same support, whatever route they take, Mr Prisk has expanded the scheme to include any community project.  This means that communities who want to make a change in their area, such as creating a new playground, renovating an empty home or making plots available for house building will be able to access the money they need to develop plans and make it happen. Read more on the Govuk website.