Rent arrears expected to rocket

Fife Council has warned a “worst case scenario” could see the authority’s rent arrears reach £5.6 million.

An estimated nine out of 10 council tenants in Fife who already receive Universal Credit, a total of 765 people, have racked up increased rent arrears of £340,000 as a result of welfare reform.

However, a new council report has revealed that following the Fife-wide rollout, arrears could run into millions.

Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (Carf) said it was bracing itself for a deluge of calls as families struggle in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, with demand expected to rocket by 60%.

“That’s a bit massive,” said Carf’s Norma Philpott.

“Obviously the board of Carf will have to decide what to do with that potential demand.

“Credit has to go to our volunteers for the work that they do because it’s becoming increasingly complex and challenging.”

Crisis grants are available for people who need emergency help to cover the cost of essentials such as food, fuel and nappies.

To ensure funding applications are processed in time, the council has taken the step of changing its helpline opening hours from 9am to 2.30pm instead of 11am to 4.30am.

Customer service manager Diarmuid Cotter said the move would give workers more time to deal with payments.

He said: “Staff have a fairly heavy administrative load – we’re trying to maximise the resources we have.”

Tory councillor Linda Holt accused the council of taking a “wait and see attitude”.

But Labour’s Linda Erskine responded: “We wouldn’t be in this mess if Central Government hadn’t done this to us.”

Norma Philpott from Carf.