Universal Credit Claimants in Islington See Rent Arrears & Food Bank Referrals Soar

Wednesday 30 October, 2019 Written by 
Universal Credit Claimants in Islington See Rent Arrears & Food Bank Referrals Soar

UNIVERSAL CREDIT - claimants in Islington Council have accumulated nearly four times the rent arrears as people on Housing Benefit.

As of September 30, 3,176 council tenants were on Universal Credit and, of these, 72 per cent (2,285) were in rent arrears with an average debt of £1,295.

This compares to 9,969 Housing Benefit claimants in council properties, of whom 39pc (3,895) were in rent arrears with an average debt of £353.

"I think it's a huge indictment of just how terrible the government is," said Cllr Troy Gallagher (Lab, Bunhill).

Cllr Gallagher is deputy chair of Islington's policy and performance scrutiny committee, which has closely monitored the impacts of Universal Credit since it was introduced to the borough in June.

Since then, Islington Council has made 123 payments through its residents support scheme to help vulnerable claimants.

These include 31 crisis payments totalling £8,858 - to help with essential daily costs, like food. The town hall also made 92 discretionary housing payments amounting to £19,616 - to meet shortfalls in rent caused by changes to benefits.

In total, the council has awarded £288,836 in one-off payments to alleviate the burden for people moving onto Universal Credit, awarding an average of £134.53 per household.

The council has referred more than 2,800 people to Islington Food Bank since June. The food bank only allows people to be referred 12 times a year - and there are at least 14 people known to the council who have already exceeded this.

DWP data shows there were 8,901 Universal Credit claimants in Islington as of October 15.

Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party this month pledged to scrap the benefit, The council passed a motion of no confidence in Universal Credit in December.

Call Samaritans' for confidential emotional support via its free 24-hour phone line on 116 123. You don't have to be feeling suicidal to call this number.

ABC Note: Islington is Jeremy Corbyn's Constituency.

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