73% of Social Landlord Staff Say Their Tenants in Arrears

Nearly three quarters of housing association staff say their tenants are falling behind on rent this year, with over a third reporting the main cause is the bedroom tax. In a Unison survey, Community and Voluntary Services in the Age of Austerity, 73 per cent of housing association staff report their tenants were in arrears this year. Thirty five per cent reported the top reason was the bedroom tax, with the next common reasons being complex benefit changes, the rising cost of living and lack of employment. The poll of 756 housing association workers between July and August showed half of staff had seen an increase in tenants being evicted or forced to move out due to financial pressures. Download a copy of the report from the Unison website.

New Homes Bonus 'Draining Resources from North to South'

A new study by UNISON, the UK's largest union, has revealed that the New Homes Bonus Scheme is draining scarce resources away from the recession-hit north, to wealthier parts of the country in the south.  Money for the new homes scheme is deducted from local council grants and then redistributed to areas where most new homes are built which largely depends on decisions made by private developers. Building firms meanwhile are unsurprisingly shying away from poorer areas that have been hit hardest by the recession and choosing to build in areas where the profit potential is greatest. The union is demanding that the Government puts a stop to deprived areas being penalised in this way. Read more on the UNISON website.

Warning over Botched Roll Out Of Universal Credit

UNISON, the UK’s largest union, is warning the government that its botched roll out of Universal Credit – less than 18 months away – will make it more difficult for low income families to claim much-needed benefits and tax credits. The government wants to combine the introduction of Universal Credit with a shift to administering the service online. But analysis by the union has proved that the very people who rely on benefits and tax credits – those on low incomes - are the least likely to use the internet.   Low income families are also the least likely to be able to afford the cost of calling the 0845 number they will have to ring to access these benefits and tax credits if they can’t apply online. The cost can be as much as 40p per minute from mobiles. The union has emailed every councillor in England, Wales and Scotland, calling on them to take action, as the switch could mean the loss of 20,000 jobs in Housing benefits and tax credits. The union is also warning councils that if things go wrong, cheques don’t arrive and families can’t afford to feed their children, they will turn to their local council for help.  Read more on the Unison website.

Universal Credit Puts 20,000 Jobs 'At Risk'

Thousands of housing benefit jobs could be at risk if government plans to introduce universal credit are implemented. Unison, a public service trade union, said that up to 20,000 housing benefit administration jobs could be axed in England, Wales and Scotland if plans in the Welfare Bill are voted through. The union also warned that millions of pounds could also be wasted in compensation. Unison said that currently 21 per cent of housing benefit services are provided through private contractors or shared service arrangements with other authorities. The union argues that if the bill goes through, local staff offering face to face advice will be replaced by call centres and online forms. It said that this could lead to councils paying around £50 million a year for a service they do not need as contracts with private companies will still be in place when universal credit is due to be introduced in October 2013. The union warned there could also be a redundancy bill of around £150 million as there is no provision in the bill for staff to transfer from councils to the Department for Work and Pensions. Read more on the Unison website.