Agenda item

To update members on Universal Credit full service roll out in the borough, to highlight the impacts of Universal Credit and the partnership arrangements in place to mitigate these impacts.

Members received a report on universal credit full service roll out. It was explained that this combined six benefits into one and had been effective from March 2017 for those linked to Hinckley’s job centre. It was noted that there had been problems initially with delays when customers were changing over to universal credit but, in response to criticism, the DWP had removed the waiting period and made the helpline free of charge to call. It was acknowledged that there was a close working relationship between the council and Job Centre Plus in the Hub which helped to resolve issues more quickly.

Concern was expressed in relation to the increasing level of debt from tenants. In response it was noted that this was partly a result of universal credit being paid to the tenant for them to then pay their bills, whereas previously housing benefit was paid directly to the landlord, but also because of the benefit cap and courts being more reluctant to grant possession orders so tenants could remain in council properties but continue to fail to pay rent.

In response to further questions, the following points were made:

·         Assistance in making claims was provided for customers who did not have internet access

·         The term ‘preparing for work’ (paragraph 4.1 of the report) referred to those who were actively applying for jobs and attending interviews

·         The funding for the citizens advice service to support applicants was sufficient and had not needed to be supplemented by the authority

·         In some cases, direct payments to the landlord could be requested and to date all requested had been granted.

Members expressed concern about the move away from direct rent payments and it was felt that the situation, including rising debt, may be the same throughout the country. It was moved by Councillor Bill and seconded by Councillor Lay that the Scrutiny Commission writes to the MP to ask him to take the matter up and that the Leader of the Council should be requested to raise the matter with the District Councils Network.

Concern was also expressed about the lack of ability to share data with Job Centre Plus, which would enable staff to address non payment of rent with the tenant at their individual meetings. It was requested that this be included in the letter to the MP and raised at the District Councils Network.

It was requested that a further report be brought to the Commission in six months, focussing on the relevant data, and that a representative of the DWP be asked to attend.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The chairman of the Scrutiny Commission writes to the MP for Bosworth to express concern about the move away from direct payments of rent to the landlord and the restriction on information sharing between the local authority and Job Centre Plus and to ask him to raise these matters;

(ii)           The Leader of Council be requested to raise the issues mentioned in (i) above with the District Councils Network;

(iii)          A statistical report be brought to the Scrutiny Commission in six months and a representative of the DWP be invited to the meeting.