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EU GRANTS - Projects funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF) have equipped 77,000 people with the skills and experience to thrive in the workplace and in wider society, while those supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have boosted the local economy by increasing employment and productivity.

That was the key message today from Department for the Economy (DfE) Director of European Fund Management, Maeve Hamilton, when she congratulated organisations from across Northern Ireland for successfully delivering ESF and ERDF-supported projects aimed at combatting poverty, enhancing social inclusion and promoting sustainable economic growth across Northern Ireland.

Ms Hamilton confirmed that both the ESF and ERDF programmes have successfully delivered on all targets for the period 2014-2018, thereby securing the €31.4million performance reserve from the European Commission (EC). DfE is the managing authority for both programmes and Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK to have achieved this across all programmes and spending priorities.

This funding has already been committed to projects that aim to deliver significant economic and social impacts over the remaining programme period to 2023. Over the period 2014 until 2023, these programmes will deliver over €1billion of activity in these priority areas.

Projects funded by the current NI ESF Programme have already equipped over 77,000 people, including over 26,000 participants working towards an apprenticeship, with the skills and experience to thrive in the workplace and in wider society. Around 11,000 ESF participants have progressed into employment, 7,000 into further education and training and over 13,000 apprentices have gained a qualification across all parts of Northern Ireland.

Projects supported by the ERDF have boosted the local economy by supporting research, technological development and innovation, enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and supporting the shift towards a low carbon economy.

During her welcome address to a stakeholder conference in Cookstown, Ms Hamilton who passed on the congratulations of DfE Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery to attendees, said: “ESF-funded projects have delivered a solid foundation for many who are now in long-term employment. You are helping to address inequalities and ensure greater social inclusion by providing real opportunities to individuals to ultimately achieve meaningful and sustained employment. You assist individuals to overcome personal barriers to social inclusion and employability and your work not only enhances the lives of those individuals, but their families, friends and the local economy.

“By working with our delivery partners in Invest NI and the Department for Infrastructure, the ERDF Programme has helped increase the number of companies actually engaged in Research and Development activity from a baseline of 495 in 2012 to 900 in 2018. The number of SMEs classified as high growth companies has also increased from a baseline of 695 in 2013 to 980 in 2018 and employment within micro and small businesses is now at 335,000 against a baseline of 297,000.

“The construction of a new ERDF-funded energy efficient Depot was completed in February 2019 to accommodate the technological requirements of the hybrid vehicles to be used on the Belfast Rapid Transit routes. The Glider off-vehicle ticketing system (also ERDF-funded) enables speedy boarding of Glider services, improving the customer experience and thereby encouraging a modal shift from car to public transport.

“We have also recently approved €23million of ERDF funding to be used in a number of NI Housing Executive schemes to increase the energy efficiency of NI’s social housing stock.”

Ms Hamilton added: “You had been set challenging and ambitious targets. I am pleased to report that following formal assessment, in August 2019 the EC confirmed that both programmes had successfully met and indeed, in some areas, exceeded the targets. This is a magnificent outcome.”

Concluding, she said: “The ongoing political and economic uncertainty present unique challenges, but what we have achieved together by working in partnership will provide a robust foundation for the future and is a strong indicator of the resilience and determination of everyone present here today to provide our citizens with the skills to secure and sustain employment. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that whatever the political developments in the coming weeks and months, this department will continue to work in partnership with all of you to see these projects through to a successful conclusion.”

Marc Vermyle,‎ representing the European Commission, also praised the organisations for meeting their targets and unlocking the additional funding.

He said: “Meeting the performance milestones proved to be a challenge for structural funds programmes' management across Europe. The fact that Northern Ireland met all its milestones and doing so qualifies for the performance reserve contribution, deserves congratulations, both for the management and for the project sponsors and participants.”

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HAPPY ANIVERSARY - Holyrood Marks First Anniversary Of Social Security Scotland
 
“Fairness, Dignity And Respect” Now At Heart Of System
 
The Scottish Parliament will today (Thursday) celebrate the first anniversary of Social Security Scotland, in a debate led by SNP MSP Shona Robison.
 
The agency made its first payments in September 2018, delivering the Carer’s Allowance Supplement – which has helped around 77,500 people - and the Best Start Grant - which has supported almost 10,000 low-income families.
 
Social Security Scotland will also deliver a new £10 Scottish Child Payment - described as a “game changer” by anti-poverty campaigners and estimated to lift 30,000 children out of poverty – ahead of schedule in 2020.
 
Speaking in the debate, Shona Robison MSP will say:
 
“It was a proud moment for me when this parliament passed the Social Security (Scotland) Bill. 
 
“It was a proud moment for all of us who want to see a fairer, more respectful and dignified Scotland.
 
“The first year has been a success – bringing over 700 jobs to my constituency in Dundee, and delivering face to face support to those who need it.
 
“Let’s not forget the words of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights who said that UK Government compassion for those who are suffering has been replaced by a punitive, mean-spirited, and often callous approach to welfare.
 
“And to that end, I echo Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville when she calls for all social security to be devolved to Scotland to create a system with the people of Scotland for the people of Scotland.’’   
 
“The UN letter declares that the poverty is a political choice. Let’s choose to end poverty.”

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FAMILY HELP - Working parents and guardians will be given weeks of extra time to apply to be reimbursed for their childcare costs, the government announced today.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today revealed that those who claim the childcare element of Universal Credit will have an additional month to report their costs.

Up to 85% of childcare costs can be reimbursed through Universal Credit. Previously those reporting costs had to do so in the same month-long Universal Credit assessment period in which they were incurred.

This extension for reporting costs provides parents with more flexibility and could help claimants with 2 or more children avoid losing out on more than £1,100 per month.

Image: Minister for Employment and MP for the Eastleigh Constituency Mims Davies.

Minister for Employment Mims Davies said:

Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, and that’s before something unexpected happens like a trip to the hospital or having to stay late at work.

We are determined to support families to balance work-life and parenthood. Allowing an extra month-long assessment period for people to report their childcare costs means people shouldn’t have to worry about missing out on crucial payments they are entitled to.

Costs can be reported online, and those in work while in receipt of Universal Credit can apply for up to £646.35 per month if they have one child and up to £1,108.40 for 2 or more children.

The support can be claimed in the month prior to starting work if a person has accepted a job offer.

This improvement follows a number of changes to Universal Credit which aim to make the system simpler and more beneficial than ever before.

Up to 100% advance payments are available for claimants and budgeting support is available for anyone who needs extra help.

The government has removed the 7-day waiting period meaning nobody has to wait to make a claim and people can continue to receive Housing Benefit for 2 weeks while they wait for the first payment.

Meanwhile, in addition to the Universal Credit childcare offer, the government provides a wide range of childcare support for families, including 30 free hours for 3 and 4-year-olds of working parents, 15 free hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds and for all 3 and 4-year-olds.

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SCOTTISH FUNERAL CHANGES - On 16 September 2019, Funeral Support Payment replaced Funeral Expenses Payment in Scotland.

From this date, people who want to apply for financial help to pay for a funeral must make a claim to Social Security Scotland. DWP will no longer be able to process their Funeral Expenses Payment claim.

More information on how to apply for Funeral Support Payment is available on mygov.scot. 

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MANAGED PAYMENTS - Landlords who want to set up a managed payment should first discuss the matter with their tenant, who will have access to their own information on their online account.

Tenants can share the information from their account with their landlord or other representative, if they wish, as this contains information about housing payments made.

The landlord must not:

• request login details from the tenant
• make disclosing login details or allowing access to the tenant’s online account a condition of the tenancy

If more help is needed, the claimant can request this:

• through their journal
• through their work coach
• by contacting the service centre by telephone

ABC Note: There are other guides and we suggest you ask your work coach for more information. Do NOT allow yourself to be pressurized by your landlord to share information.  

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CLARIFICATION GIVEN - Claimants without a National Insurance number should not delay their Universal Credit application to obtain one. Their claim to Universal Credit will initiate the National Insurance number application process. 

Once the conditions of entitlement to Universal Credit are established, an application for a National Insurance number will be prioritised by DWP.  

This means eligibility can be established and also makes it possible to pay an advance of Universal Credit.

Claimants who have a National Insurance number should have it ready at the point of applying for Universal Credit. 

ALSO: Communications to Universal Credit claimants. This will ensure that when claimants are asked to attend interviews the reason for the interview and the consequences of failing to attend are clear.

The outcome of every appointment is now recorded in the claimant’s journal. Where appointments are booked to verify evidence, the purpose of the appointment and details of the specific evidence required will be will also be made clear.

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PENSIONS UPDATE - The UK leaving the EU will not affect UK pensioners’ entitlement to continue getting the UK State Pension if they live in European Economic Area (EEA) states or Switzerland. Payments will automatically continue after 31 October into their bank account. 

Uprating will also continue for 3 years in EEA states and Switzerland. This means that the UK State Pension is increased using the triple lock. The triple lock ensures that the State Pension goes up by 2.5%, the rate of inflation or average earnings – whichever is highest.

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HARD TIMES - Research from the New Economics Foundation has found that Britons are actually £128 worse off than they were at pre-financial crash levels in 2008. The think tank has argued that the current methods used to calculate GDP neglect to include key factors of determining the cost of living, such as increasing food prices and housing costs. 

FairMoney.com, the UK's leading fair loan price, has conducted national research of their own which has revealed the extent to which personal finances in Britain have felt a significant strain. FairMoney.com's Poverty Stricken Britain research unveiled the following;

• A fifth of Brits – 10.5 million - believe that they are in the worst financial position that they have ever been in because of Brexit. 
• Over half of Brits - 53% - said that their average disposable income per week is less than £0
• One in five women in Britain feel that their mental or physical health has suffered as a result of financial stress incurred from Brexit
• Over an eighth of Brits -15%- believe that financial issues incurred from Brexit have caused strain in their marriages or relationships
• 43% of Brits - 22.2 million - don’t understand how Brexit will affect household bills 

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POLITICIANS COMPLAIN - The Social Democrats today called on the Minister for Disabilities to reverse the axing of the Rehabilitative Training Allowance for students with disabilities and to reinstate the €31.80 weekly payment for new students.

Image: Cllr. Dave Quinn, Social Democrats.
 
Dún Laoghaire Councillor Dave Quinn said:
 
“This modest allowance has enabled hundreds of school leavers with disabilities to undertake vital rehabilitative training courses.  These courses enable the development of life skills, social skills and basic work skills, and they play a vital role in preparing students for work or further education.
 
“It’s cruel and short-sighted for the government and the HSE to turn around and axe this allowance for new entrants. Students depend on this payment to cover costs including transport, food and social activities.This cut places even more barriers to workplace participation in the way of people with disabilities. For many students, the axing of the weekly allowance will prevent them from starting a rehabilitative training course this month.
 
“One in four people with a disability live in consistent poverty compared with 8 per cent of the general population. This move by the HSE will further widen the poverty gap. The Government is not listening. The excuse for making this cut is truly ridiculous. An immediate reversal of the decision is needed so that new entrants can take up this vital educational step forward.”

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CLAIMANTS STRUGGLING - New data from Citizens Advice shows 49% of benefit claimants affected by the benefits freeze have struggled to meet essential costs such as rent, household bills, and food while 40% have lost sleep due to money worries in the past 12 months.

The findings are worse for Universal Credit claimants, with over half (55%) having gone without essentials such as food, and 51% saying they have lost sleep because of their finances.

The charity is calling for increased financial support for people claiming benefits as it finds almost two in five (39%) people who claim have less than £100 at the end of each month, after paying for rent or their mortgage, food, council tax, and household bills.

Disabled people and people with children were more likely to have gone without essentials such as food and toiletries. Around 44% of disabled people’s households and 45% of households with children went without in the past 12 months.

Citizens Advice is calling on the government to end the freeze on benefit rates and reduce the five-week wait for Universal Credit claims.

Since April 2016, the level of most benefits like Universal Credit and Tax Credits has been frozen.

This is having serious consequences for people with over a quarter (27%) of people claiming benefits saying financial worries have made them feel lonely/isolated. Some 29% say financial worries have affected their mental health.

Citizens Advice provides free, independent and impartial advice in England and Wales and last year we helped 580,000 people across England and Wales with their benefits. Someone in six households in the UK claims income-related benefits.

Citizens Advice is calling for urgent solutions from the government:

• End the freeze on benefit rates. Uprate payments by the Consumer Prices Index plus 2% for four years. Recalculate the Local Housing Allowance to at least the 30th percentile of local rents and re-establish the link with rental prices.
• Reduce the five-week wait by bringing forward the first non-repayable payment to no later than two weeks into a Universal Credit claim.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“The benefits system is designed to help people with their finances in times of need, but too often our frontline staff and volunteers see a different story.

“We’ve found people are losing sleep and unable to afford essential things like food and housing while receiving Universal Credit. It is unacceptable that our benefits system is not providing the financial safety net that people need.

“The government needs to take urgent action in this week’s spending review by reducing the five-week wait for Universal Credit and ending the freeze on benefit rates.”

Danielle, a parent of two children who were helped by Citizens Advice, said:

“I have been through so much in the past year. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through chemotherapy and now I am in remission and healthwise am doing so much better.

“Universal Credit during this time added so much stress that I did not need. My payments were delayed when I went from being self-employed to being off due to needing chemotherapy.

“Thankfully I have family who was able to help me to make sure my rent was paid. And I repaid them when I received my Universal Credit payments. But the stress of thinking I might not be there for my children and how I would pay my bills was at times unbearable.”

If anyone needs help with Universal Credit or the benefits system, contact, Citizens Advice. 

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