Local political group leaders call for Universal Credit to be redesigned to remove inherent risks

Councillor Allen Brett is concerned about the roll out of Universal Credit in the borough

Councillors noted at the recent full council meeting (on Wednesday 13 December) that the full move to Universal Credit in other parts of the country has caused ‘considerable financial hardship’ for many of those people moving onto this new system of benefit payments.

All political group leaders are to jointly write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking that the system of Universal Credit is redesigned to remove inherent risks.

The new Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Allen Brett (Labour) said: “People with very low incomes struggle to save up and are perpetually in debt, which is a big worry.”

Universal Credit, the single monthly payment which replaces the six current working age benefits, is to be fully implemented locally in May 2018, with the changes ‘likely’ to affect tens of thousands across the borough.

The total caseload of Universal Credit claims in the borough on 31 October 2017 was 4,068. Currently, 60% of these claimants are not in employment.

Of the claimants, 55% are based in Rochdale, 27% in Middleton and 18% in Heywood. The majority are aged between 25 and 49 (61%) with one third (29%) aged 16 to 24. Just 10% of claimants are aged 50 and over.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley (Conservative) commented: “Universal Credit is far improved from what we had before. It helps people into work but some issues could and should be improved. However, it is vital that the policy and the need for change and timing goes ahead.”