MP: ‘Wake-up call’ on Universal Credit
MORE than 12,000 people in Rochdale are now claiming Universal Credit with MP Tony Lloyd calling it a ‘wake-up call’ for the government to take action.
New government figures show that more families across the borough are receiving the personalised support compared to those in neighbouring boroughs Bury, Bolton and Salford.
Universal Credit, which is now available in every jobcentre across the UK, simplifies the benefit system and replaces six previous benefits with a single monthly payment.
The benefit provides tailored support for people who are unemployed, in low-paid work or unable to work due to a disability or health condition.
Mr Lloyd said he was ‘sadly not surprised’ by Rochdale’s figures and called on the government to deliver more investment in jobs outside of Manchester city centre.
He told the Observer: “While the government has messed up its introduction, obviously it is
needed. If you look at Rochdale and compare it with Oldham, relatively speaking, we have got quite low numbers but if you compare it to Bury and Stockport we have high numbers.
“It is indicative of the fact there are too many families where, even in work, they are still struggling.
“While Universal Credit is a welcome benefit it is nevertheless paid because people need it.
“It is a wake-up call for the government to recognise that even though we have the booming city centre of Manchester it’s not enough to talk about the Northern Powerhouse and just believe that it’s going to kick in and deliver the prosperity that people begin to expect.
“Realistically it is a wake-up call that says there are too many families who are struggling and we still need the investment in the jobs and technologies that will take people forward into the future.”
Donna Bowler, assistant director of Place at Rochdale Borough Council, said over the last 12 months their Employment Links team helped more 3,000 borough residents to ‘improve their employability and skills with advice and training’.
She said: “With help from Rochdale Development Agency and the Business Growth Hub we also linked these job seekers with businesses expanding or relocating to the borough.
“As the government is rolling out Universal Credit at different times in different Job Centres it’s not possible to accurately compare the numbers of claimants by area, and of course there are many people claiming Universal Credit who are also working.”
DWP figures show that more than 327,000 people in the North West are now receiving personalised Universal Credit support, with more than 135,000 of those in Greater Manchester.
Minister for Welfare Delivery Will Quince said: “Behind these figures are thousands of people getting tailored employment support to either find a job or increase their hours.
“Universal Credit is a force for good – it’s simpler, more flexible and is helping people into work quicker than the old system.
“Crucially, it adjusts to people’s monthly earnings so there are no disincentives to working.
“Staff across the region, from Carlisle to Cheshire, are supporting people who walk through their local jobcentre doors, with training courses, CV writing help, confidence-building sessions and much more.” Manchester - 33,143, Oldham - 17,286 Wigan - 15,068, Tameside - 12,327, Rochdale - 12,011, Bolton - 11,545, Salford - 11,502, Trafford - 8,126, Bury - 7,245, Stockport - 7,133