Fear over Universal Credit’s roll-out
The biggest cities in Yorkshire are bracing themselves for a potential surge in demand affecting frontline services amid great uncertainty as the continued roll-out of Universal Credit is imminent.
FEARS ARE mounting that Universal Credit (UC) is putting more power in the hands of domestic abusers.
MPs and councillors have spoken out about how the payment of only one member of a household could have repercussions for women suffering domestic violence, abuse or coercive behaviour at the hands of their partners.
UC claimants—whether single or couples—receive a single, monthly household payment in arrears.
From this, they are expected to provide for the whole household and manage rent, bills and living expenses.
But critics have said that the one payment allows coercive and abusive partners to exert more control over relationships.
Louise Haigh MP claimed the benefit was “pushing women back to the 1950s”, while colleague Angela Smith MP, for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said there was some “really, really worrying aspects” of the benefit.
Coun Debra Coupar said: “It’s having an impact on women in particular. When you are in relationships where they may already experience domestic violence or abuse or coercive behaviour, because only one person per household can claim, and that will be the male of the family.”
Last month, the Work and Pensions Committee warned that single household payments of could put claimants living with domestic abuse at risk of harm.
The Committee said that the Department of Work and Pensions must give serious consideration to any policies that might offer some protection to survivors of abuse and deliver fairer payments to households, including splitting UC payment by default.
Members of the Committee also concluded that every Jobcentre Plus should be required to appoint a domestic abuse specialist.
Heidi Allen MP, one of the committee members, at the time said: “In the 21st Century women deserve to be treated as independent citizens, with their own aspirations, responsibilities and challenges.”