Town hall chief joins call for halt to new benefits system

COUNCIL leader Richard Farnell has joined the growing call for the government’s new benefits system, Universal Credit, to be halted.

The scheme, which rolls several benefits into one payment, is due for a country-wide roll out next Spring, but critics say controversial issues surrounding UC need sorting out first. Coun Farnell said: “I hope the government listens to this growing wave of criticism.

“It’s not as if it’s partisan; politicians and organisations from across the political divide all agree it needs stopping now.”

It has been estimated that as many as 11,000 Rochdale families will be affected when UC is rolled out, with some families possibly losing up to £50 a week.

Coun Farnell added: “That’s simply unacceptable especially when you consider that families on UC are among those who can least afford such a drop in income.

“And as if that wasn’t bad enough I’m also hearing reports that some struggling families are being forced to wait up to six weeks for a payment.

“How can that be right or fair?

“Forcing families into a cycle of debt and having to rely on foodbanks for a hot meal in this day and age in one of the richest countries on the planet.

“No-one will ever convince me that that is anything other than shameful.

“I really hope government actually starts listening to the growing call for a halt to the roll out until all these concerns have been addressed.”

Universal Credit is the government’s flagship six-in-one benefit payment, designed to replace income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance, housing benefit, child tax credits, income support, working tax credit and Employment and Support Allowance.

Ministers began to pilot it in Tameside in 2013 before starting to roll it out to Oldham and further afield, arguing the streamlined payment encourages people into work and out of poverty.

Last week Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham warned the government on behalf of all the region’s public sector bodies to halt the Universal Credit roll-out, warning rough sleeping - already at epidemic levels, particularly in Manchester - would double if it continued.

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke told the Conservative conference in Manchester earlier this month that he had listened to concerns about the system, saying advance payments would be offered up front.

But he insisted that “Universal Credit is working”, saying “the rollout will continue, and to the planned timetable”.

He said: “We’re not going to rush things, it is more important to get this right than to do this quickly, and this won’t be completed until 2022.

“But across the country, we will continue to transform our welfare system to further support those who aspire to work.”