Issue - meetings

The Council considered a motion from the Labour Group on Universal Credit, which was subsequently amended by the Conservative Group, as set out in the resolution below.

On a motion from Councillor Charles Gerrish, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, it was

RESOLVED to note that;

1.  Bath and North East Somerset is a Full Service area for the roll out of Universal Credit and has been since May 2016, having been part of the pilot scheme since 2013.

2.  By 2020, it is expected that 7,500 people will be in receipt of Universal Credit in Bath and 7,000 in North East Somerset, and that approximately 4,000 households are currently in receipt of Universal Credit in B&NES.

3.  Universal Credit simplifies a complex welfare system, merging six benefits into one payment, and that experience in B&NES shows that, a result of Universal Credit, our Housing Benefit caseload for working age customers has reduced by around 35%.

4.  By introducing a ‘taper rate’ of 63% Universal Credit ensures that – unlike the previous welfare system - working more always pays more and recipients no longer have to keep making new claims as their wages increase.

5.  The Government is taking a phased approach to the introduction of Universal Credit, and that full roll-out won’t be completed until 2022, but that all Job Centres across the country already have some customers on Universal Credits.

6.  Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, ensuring the system mirrors the way that the majority of people get paid.

7.  Between April and September 2017, Citizens Advice advised 274 different people with new problems concerning Universal Credit from every ward in Bath and North East Somerset.

8.  People approaching Citizens Advice mainly had problems with the delays in receiving their first payment, inability to pay for essential items such as food and utilities before receiving their first payment, but that for those who cannot wait until their first full payment, interest-free advances are available within five working days, and that over 50% of new claimants have made use of these advance payments.

9.  Whilst improvements have been made by Government to Universal Credit, such as the improved taper rate and advance payments, experience in B&NES as well as the Citizens Advice report Delivering on Universal Credit shows issues and challenges do remain with the implementation of Universal Credit which need to be addressed as the system is rolled-out.

10.In addition to the support provided by the advance UC payments and Discretionary Housing Payments, as a result of budget decisions taken by this Council B&NES also administers its own Welfare Support Scheme which provides upfront and tailored support for those people who identify themselves as struggling to manage with the current welfare system, including help with the cost of household items, food, accommodation and debt repayments.

This Council believes that:

11.The aim of Universal Credit – to simplify the benefits system and to offer people the security and support they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63