Universal Credit poses ‘threats to women that can’t be ignored’
VICTIMS of domestic violence can see their entire monthly income go into the bank account of an abusive partner under the UK Government’s flagship Universal Credit welfare scheme, campaigners and MPs have warned.
In Wales there are accounts of “financial abuse” with abusers controlling women’s access to cash for basic items such as food and sanitary products.
There is deep concern that as Universal Credit is rolled out a single monthly payment money needed to support children will go into the pockets of an abuser. It is feared this could make it harder for survivors of abuse to leave partners and increase their dependence on potentially violent individuals.
A spokeswoman for Welsh Women’s Aid described the consequences of the welfare reforms as “detrimental and dangerous”.
She said: “Survivors are being left without adequate access to money for housing, transport, food and basic essentials during and after leaving an abusive relationship. In Wales, almost a third of survivors accessing specialist support services reported experiencing financial abuse. Women have told us about perpetrators withholding money and controlling the purchase of food, clothes and sanitary products, which impacts on their health, wellbeing, their confidence, and leaves them and their children with nothing other than a food bank to get by.
“Universal Credit single payments risk enabling financial abuse by increasing the control abusers have over finances.”
The Women’s Aid spokeswoman added: “Welfare benefits can often offer a lifeline to survivors, providing them with the independent resources to build a safe and independent future for themselves and their children. As the UK Government rolls out Universal Credit in Wales, as well as elsewhere, it must ensure the process supports survivors rather than enabling abusers.
“To do this it must provide women with financial autonomy and ensure it is not forcing survivors to make dangerous choices between poverty and safety. “
The Scottish Government has passed legislation which will ensure payments are split between two partners and in a report published on Tuesday the Westminster Work and Pensions committee calls for this approach to be considered.
Cerys Furlong, chief executive of Chwarae Teg, which helps women enter the workplace, said Universal Credit posed “threats to women” which can “no longer be ignored”.
She said: “The fundamental flaws in the design of Universal Credit are a threat to women’s independence and financial security and we cannot achieve equality until all women are able to live safe and independent lives. For the UK Government to continue with Universal Credit in its current form, in light of the known risk it poses to women living with domestic abuse, would be unacceptable.” >
Cardiff Central Labour MP Jo Stevens said Universal Credit was putting people in “real danger” of abuse.
She said: “Controlling access to money is a well-known and widespread practice used by domestic abusers to hold power over their partners. The Government’s system of providing payment to just one member of a couple both flies in the face of the their own stated aim that Universal Credit should be ‘like employment’ and is putting people, predominantly women, in real danger of domestic abuse.
“We cannot stand by and accept a government policy which makes it easier for abusers. Labour has been warning of this since before the start of Universal Credit and Ministers must now respond to the cross party report and change the system.
“If they don’t they will continue to facilitate the risk of domestic abuse.”
Frank Field, the chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, called for change, saying: “This is not the 1950s. Men and women work independently, pay taxes as individuals, and should each have an independent income.
“Not only does [Universal Credit’s] single household payment bear no relation to the world of work, it is out of step with modern life and turns back the clock on decades of hard