Committee Publishes 'Damning' New Universal Credit Evidence

Commons Select Committee Chair Frank Field MP calls evidence submitted to the Committee by Halton Housing Trust the "most damning" he has ever read on what he describes as DWP "maladministration."  The Trust has accumulated over £400,000 of arrears as a direct result of the rollout of Full Service Universal Credit. This means that just 18% of its tenants owe 55% of all its arrears. Over the last 12 months the number of referrals the Trust has made to local food banks has more than doubled. Those claimants who were offered Advance Payments were offered a New Claims Advance that had to be paid back within 6 months: the submission details the even bigger financial problems this caused for families. Read more on the Parliament website.

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.

Tablet-Equipped Tenants to Be Denied Phone Access to Landlord

A proposed scheme to help tenants access services online would prevent them from requesting services from their landlord by phone.  Halton Housing Trust will at the end of the month distribute 250 devices to tenants as part of a seven-month pilot to get more tenants online and prepare for the introduction of universal credit. Tenants who are issued with the tablets will sign up to the trust’s ‘Digital Deal’ under which they will be trained to use the device and be expected to interact with their landlord through digital means only. Following the pilot it is proposed that tenants will be refused access to their landlord’s non-digital services. The tablets will come installed with an app that enables tenants to pay rent, book repairs and report anti-social behaviour online. The 6,400-home landlord will pay the cost of internet access. Read more on Inside Housing.

Landlord Fears Universal Credit Could Deter Self-Employed

A housing association has warned the Government that strict new rules for Universal Credit could “totally undermine” efforts by landlords to support residents starting up their own businesses.  Nick Atkin, chief executive of Halton Housing Trust – which owns and manages over 6,200 homes in Cheshire – fired the warning in evidence to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee, which is examining the progress being made towards the implementation of Universal Credit.  Atkin warns strict Universal Credit qualifying criteria – which would see the self-employed having to report earnings every month as oppose to every year – could “totally undermine” the trust’s efforts to develop and nurture social enterprise through its support to small businesses.  Read more on 24dash.

Housing Chief Predicts 'Acceleration' Of Universal Credit Claims

A housing association chief executive believes the Government may look to "accelerate" the transition of benefit claimants on to Universal Credit in a bid to achieve its projected welfare savings.  Nick Atkin chief executive of Halton Housing Trust, said the Government could look to change the criteria against which claims are reviewed - providing the new IT system is up and running - in order to accelerate people on to Universal Credit and achieve its projected welfare savings. Mr Atkin said: “We’re starting to put together a plan for Universal Credit implementation being accelerated. If you look at the Chancellor’s statement around welfare reform – and a further £10bn savings – you can see that one of the ways they could achieve them is by changing the criteria by which claims are reviewed.  I suspect any minor change will trigger a review of their claim and that will put them on to Universal Credit. So there won’t only be the hit of under-occupation for social tenants next April, but it’s likely Universal Credit will be accelerated as well.”    Read more on 24dash.