The Conservative's roll out of Universal Credit risks driving up
homelessness, , Liberal Democrat Work and
Pensions Spokesperson, will warn in his Westminster Hall debate
this morning.
Lloyd is leading calls for the reform of the
housing benefit element of Universal Credit before a “disaster
occurs in an already dysfunctional housing
market”.
He will call on the Department for Work and Pensions to make
some further changes to the way they administer the housing element
of Universal Credit before it is too late.
Speaking ahead of the debate warned:
"If further urgent changes are not made to the Government’s new
benefit, Universal Credit, homelessness will skyrocket and the
private rental sector will prove even more resistant to tenants on
benefits.
"The government has the opportunity to improve the chronic
housing shortage across the country by making Universal Credit
payments to landlords the default option.
"Despite the chaos created by the shambolic rollout of Universal
Credit, opportunities for positive action remain if the government
actually listens to those trying to make the system work."
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The Westminster Hall Debate will take place at 0930
this morning (Tuesday 9 January) and can be viewed
live at this link: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e08f0ef8-7a1e-4f0f-8eb7-03162020d676
A recent study carried out by the Residential Landlords
Association shows that almost 87% of landlords would not be
willing to let their properties to claimants of Universal Credit,
while 38% have already experienced UC tenants going into
arrears.
A separate study commissioned by Crisis and the Joseph
Rowntree Foundation found that 90% of local authorities were
concerned that UC would increase homelessness.
