Liberal Democrat MP has today written to the
Government demanding action to make it easier for domestic abuse
victims to have money paid into a separate
bank account.
Lloyd’s proposal comes after it was revealed the Universal Credit
lump sum payment is paid into one designated bank account for the
whole household, often the male partner in the relationship. This
had led, in some cases, to domestic abuse victims being deprived
of money, and less able to escape their dangerous home
situation.
The Eastbourne MP has demanded that the Secretary of State for
Work and Pensions, MP, make the plight of
domestic abuse victims a “top priority”.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work and Pensions,
said:
“Among the litany of failures that is Universal Credit, this is
one of the most disturbing and damaging.
"I believe it should be at the very top of ’s priorities. Without fast
remedial work on the very processes of Universal Credit, some
people’s lives may well be put in danger.
"I will be demanding the minister acts quickly before it is too
late.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Please see the text of ’s letter to the Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Esther Mcvey MP, below.
Dear Esther
Re: Universal Credit Split Payments
I am writing to you on the aforementioned topic of split payments
of Universal Credit. Under its current implementation, the single
monthly household payment of UC makes it easier for domestic
abusers to seize and regulate family income and prevent partners
from leaving the home.
At present the only way to arrange a split payment of a couple’s
Universal Credit is on request. For a victim of domestic abuse,
having to make this request will often put them at more danger of
abuse from their partner. A recent survey of domestic abuse
victims by the charity Women’s Aid found almost 85 per cent of
respondents feared the abuse would get worse if their partner
found out they had asked for their benefit payment to be
divided.
I urge you, for the sake of the victims of domestic abuse, take
action immediately. Either to make it easier to request split
payments or make split payments the default payment method for
couples, including dividing payments so that the child credit
element is made payable to the main carer, usually the mother,
which was the case with child tax credits.
All the best,
MP
Eastbourne and Willingdon
Lib Dem Front Bench Spokesman
Department for Work and Pensions
