Responding to the delay to the roll-out of Universal Credit
announced today, Cllr , Chair of the Local
Government Association’s Resources Board, said:
“We are pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns
of councils and slowed the implementation of Universal Credit
managed migration.
“Real concerns remain about the lack of engagement with local
government and their local partners about the next
phase of implementation.
“The Government needs to use this delay to work closely with the
LGA, councils and stakeholders so that we can provide the best
for vulnerable claimants and ensure no-one loses out on
transitional protection. This is also vital to integrate benefits
with work on housing, employment, health and financial inclusion
so that our welfare system provides a genuine safety net and
supports social mobility.
“Any extra money must also be used to ensure that people are
better off on UC, and to fund councils properly for the vital
support they provide. This includes restoring funding to
councils for local welfare assistance so that they can provide
the local safety net to help those struggling to cope with
welfare reforms, including the roll out of UC
“The delay to UC means councils will remain responsible for
delivering Housing Benefit to a significant majority of claimants
while only receiving around half of what it costs to pay for this
work. With councils facing a funding gap that will reach almost
£8 billion by 2025, they cannot be left to prop up further delays
to the UC roll-out without being properly funded.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- 1. Read the LGA’s latest briefing on
Universal Credit ahead of an Opposition Day Debate tomorrow
- https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/opposition-day-debate-universal-credit-house-commons-17-october
