New DWP Proposal Will Trap People in Their Homes, and in Debt.

New DWP proposals to protect landlords’ rental incomes are in danger of trapping people in their homes, creating a modern day version of a debtor’s prison.  Last year Lord Freud committed to protecting landlords’ rental incomes under Universal Credit by proposing that tenants in rent arrears have 40% of their core benefits deducted until rent arrears are cleared – that’s 40% taken from JSA, Income Support or  Standard Allowance under Universal Credit. DWP have not put forward a rationale for the 40% rate. But the 40% rate should definitely ring a bell, because it’s the same punishing rate people are sanctioned by if Jobcentre Plus decide they aren’t trying hard enough to get a job. So is it the case that people in rent arrears simply aren’t trying hard enough to pay their rent? Read more on the Shelter website.