Council Leader Richard Farnell: Why the government needs to listen on Universal Credit

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Every now and again a government policy comes along that pretty much unites the rest of the country in opposition.

The ill-thought out Poll Tax debacle of the late 1980s is a prime example.

For me, the proposed roll out of Universal Credit is a modern day equivalent. The fact so many people and organisations from all walks of life oppose it should be a red flag to a government hell-bent on extending it nationwide.

So far they have refused to listen to organisations such as Citizens Advice who have called for the roll out to be halted as well as their own MPs who are being put under pressure from constituents who will suffer if it goes ahead.

It has been estimated that as many as 11,000 Rochdale families will be affected; that is obviously something this council cannot stand by and allow to happen without a fight.

I was outraged to learn this week that some families in our borough could lose up to £50 a week. That is simply unacceptable - especially when you consider that families on Universal Credit are among those who can least afford such a drop in income.

And as if that wasn't bad enough I'm also hearing reports that some struggling families are being forced to wait up to six weeks for a payment.

How can that be right or fair?

Forcing families into a cycle of debt and having to rely on foodbanks for a hot meal in this day and age in one of the richest countries on the planet; no-one will ever convince me that that is anything other than shameful.

It should not be a surprise that politicians from across the political divide have come out against the roll-out; it may have something to with the statistic that rent arrears have increased up to two and a half times in areas where Universal Credit has been introduced.

I really hope government actually starts listening to the growing call for a halt to the roll out until all these concerns have been addressed.

We wait with baited breath.

Councillor Richard Farnell
Leader
Rochdale Borough Council