Universal Credit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Jamie Reed:  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to ensure that universal credit claimants have access to IT facilities and IT skills training in order to comply with his Department's claimant commitment.

Damian Hinds: Work Coaches assess claimants’ digital capability at their initial work search interview and, where help is needed, they can refer claimants for Assisted Digital and Digital Inclusion Support. These services are offered as part of the Universal Support package which provides additional assistance to build claimants’ confidence and competence with IT, enabling them to manage their Universal Credit account online, as well as accessing on-line job search facilities and training to comply with their Claimant Commitment. Our research shows that, in June 2016, 99.7 per cent of submissions of information to support claims and 90.0 per cent of reported changes of  circumstances were completed by claimants using the UC full service online system. All jobcentres across the country have Wi-Fi and computers available for claimants to access the internet. Claimants who are unable to manage their claim online can receive telephone and face to face support.

Social Landlords Stepping In To Help Computer-Illiterate Residents

When a survey by Halton Housing Trust found that 1,200 of its residents had no internet access, it decided to remedy the situation. Partnering with phone company O2, the trust launched a two-year project called Open Digital to provide 400 residents with tablet computers and broadband.  As part of the project, Halton provided relevant apps and technical support, enabling residents to make claims and carry out job searches from their own home. Halton has seen other benefits emerge from digital inclusion: previously isolated residents are using Skype and social media to stay in touch with family, while the ability to access information and services online has resulted in a drop in the number of phone call enquiries. Read more on the Guardian website.

Salix Homes Scoops Top Award for Helping Tenants Get Online

A social housing provider is celebrating after scooping a national award for helping its tenants ‘go digital’. Salford-based Salix Homes won an NFA Award (National Federation of ALMOs) in recognition of its ‘Connecting Customers’ project, which teaches tenants essential IT skills and money management. Salix Homes launched the project in January to help prepare tenants for the introduction of Universal Credit.  Tenants who are unemployed and claiming benefits, have been taking part in free computer classes where they’ve been learning essential IT skills as well as tips and training on job searches, CV writing and interview techniques. Judges were impressed with how the project taught tenants’ essential computer skills while also encouraging people to save, as a requirement of the course is that all participants must open a savings account with Salford Credit Union, which they could then use to purchase a low-cost lap-top through the scheme. Read more on the Salix Homes website.

Tenants without Access to Internet 'Don’t Care'

A significant number of social housing tenants have no interest in accessing the internet, according to new research into digital inclusion.  Orbit Group surveyed 1,782 tenants to find out how they use the internet and potential barriers to access.  The report shows 67 per cent of tenants and 88 per cent of leaseholders have internet access. But just one in 10 of those tenants without access is interested in getting online. The universal credit benefits system, being rolled out from October, has a ‘digital by default’ emphasis, meaning most claimants will apply online. The research acknowledges the growing importance for landlords to ensure tenants are able to use this system as failure to do so will have ‘direct financial implications’ for providers. Read more on the Orbit Group website.

Why a Digital Inclusion Strategy Is Now Crucial For Social Landlords

The stark fact is that those living in social housing, who are already facing many disadvantages compared to other sections of society, are trailing behind in the digital revolution stakes.  Nearly half of the 8.7 million adults who have never been online live in social housing. Being digitally excluded makes tenants' lives much more difficult and their financial situation even more precarious as they are unable to save money by researching and obtaining cheaper deals online.  According to the National Housing Federation, offline households are missing out on savings estimated at £560 a year by shopping and paying bills online.  While overall the number of people online has increased steadily during recent years, the social groups least likely to have access to the worldwide web are the elderly, the unemployed, and those on a low income. Yet it is these very people, who will be directly affected by universal credit, who could benefit the most from the information and services available online. Embracing a digital inclusion agenda demonstrates a commitment to tenants and residents to get online in order to improve their lives and life chances. Read more on the Guardian website.

Digital Drive Could Take Down Universal Credit

Universal credit will fail unless the government can get more people online, a DWP official has warned.  Mike Shakespeare, who works in stakeholder engagement at the department, told a seminar organised by skills body Digital Unite and social landlord Affinity Sutton that digital inclusion work will be vital for the government’s flagship welfare reform policy.  ‘If we can’t get people online it will fail,’ he said. ‘No matter what other problems we encounter with this benefit, and I think we will encounter one or two, if we can’t get people online it will fall at the first hurdle.’  Read more on Inside Housing.

Get Connected Intergenerational Project

Get Connected is a digital inclusion initiative working with young people to train and support elderly, unemployed and vulnerable residents from the same community to use computers and go online. Following completion of an initial 8-week course each participant is matched with a volunteer 'digital mentor'. Digital mentors offer 1:1 tuition on an ongoing basis to embed learning, link participants with local IT provision and to other services in the area. For example, older people's clubs / activities and children's centres. Read more on the HouseMark website.

Social Networking for Social Housing – an Introduction – HQN Briefing Paper

So, how are housing organisations embracing digital technology and social networking to best serve their tenants, residents, employers and partners? The Social Housing Providers Digital Inclusion Action Plan released in 2010 claimed 70% of residents don’t have online access. However, our own direct work with social housing organisations as well as evidence from other providers shows this to be much lower – often in the region of 50-60% of residents who do have access. Therefore online communications and particularly social networking should be a serious and effective part of the communications strategy for any housing organisation. Download this briefing paper from the HQN website.

'Get Online Week' 18th To 24th October

This year’s Get online week takes place from 18 to 24 October, and aims to get tens of thousands of people started with computers and the internet for the first time. The campaign – from UK online centres – is backed by UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox and Race Online 2012 partners including the BBC, the Post Office and mobile network Three. With more than 3,000 events and nationwide publicity, it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Get online week is a great chance to get residents and communities together. Tenants get to learn how to save time, hassle and money - becoming more effective in the job market, while landlords can develop their services, improve choice and engage residents more effectively. What’s more, Get online week is completely free, with all the information and advice you need to run an event or to promote events to your residents. Further information about running your own event and a marketing toolkit for the campaign can be found online at the Online Centres website.