That South Cambridgeshire District Council write to the Government Minister responsible requesting the immediate suspension of the Universal Credit roll out in South Cambridgeshire. This is now imperative following the National Audit Office report that raised the potential negative impacts on lives of claimants and the questionable economic rationale behind continued implementation.
Decision:
Council AGREED the following motion:
That South Cambridgeshire District Council write to the Government Minister responsible requesting the immediate suspension of the Universal Credit roll out in South Cambridgeshire. This is now imperative following the National Audit Office report that raised the potential negative impacts on lives of claimants and the questionable economic rationale behind continued implementation.
Minutes:
Councillor Gavin Clayton moved the following motion as set out on the agenda:-
“That South Cambridgeshire District Council write to the Government Minister responsible requesting the immediate suspension of the Universal Credit roll out in South Cambridgeshire. This is now imperative following the National Audit Office report that raised the potential negative impacts on lives of claimants and the questionable economic rationale behind continued implementation.”
In moving the motion, Councillor Clayton noted that the aim of Universal Credit had been to make benefits unified and more accessible and to encourage people into work. Councillor Clayton, citing the National Audit Office (NAO) report, believed that the national policy was not working, in particular highlighting the financial hardship caused by late payments to claimants. He noted that only 10% of the eventual number of claimants were now claiming Universal Credit and given the difficulties identified by the NAO about operation of the system to date, was concerned at the implications once the full service was rolled out. The NAO report had highlighted the large percentage of claimants paid late or who were unable to access the system and Councillor Clayton was concerned at the consequential impact on people who were already disadvantaged. He also highlighted the impact in South Cambridgeshire, particularly with regard to housing costs, and on an individual level. The NAO had acknowledged that there was no practical alternative to continuing with Universal Credit but Councillor Clayton believed that it was right for the Council to call for a suspension of the roll out of Universal Credit in South Cambridgeshire.
Councillor Jose Hales seconded the motion.
During discussion:
· Councillor John Williams, citing the NAO report, expressed concerns about how Universal Credit was working in practice and comented that it had led to many claimants being left in financial hardship. He was concerned at the potential impact of the policy for some of the most vulnerable people in the district.
· Councillor Nigel Cathcart argued in favour of a suspension of the roll out to allow reflection on the problems being experienced with Universal Credit and introduction of modifications to address such problems.
· Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins noted that if claimants did not receive payments on time it was likely to result in an increase in rent arrears which was pertinent in view of the Council’s role as a landlord.
· Councillor Ruth Betson reported on comments she had received from Heidi Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire, who sat on the Select Committee for Work and Pensions, regarding the roll out of Universal Credit. She suggested that when Universal Credit came to South Cambridgeshire in October, Job Centre staff would have the benefit of experience and lessons learned from areas where it had already been rolled out. Councillor Betson commented that only brand new claimants going onto benefits in October would go onto Universal Credit, with existing claimants staying on the current system for time being and also highlighted changes already made to Universal Credit.
· Councillor Philippa Hart reflected that rent arrears were a key barometer to alerting statutory authorities to safeguarding issues. There was a risk that Universal Credit could place families in debt who had never been in debt before and give rise to safeguarding issues which had not existed before.
· Councillor Nick Wright, noting that the NAO report had acknowledged that there was no practical alternative to continuing with Universal Credit, felt that it would not be effective to write to the Secretary of State. Instead he argued that the Council should ensure that it allocated appropriate resources to deal with problems associated with Universal Credit should they arise.
· Councillor Deborah Roberts questioned the value of writing to the Secretary of the State. She believed that the Government was right to look at the benefits system and to encourage people back into work. Councillor Roberts was surprised that the comments of the MP for South Cambridgeshire had been raised during the debate. However she suggested that perhaps the local MPs should be invited to speak to the Council on the subject of Universal Credit.
Councillor Hales, the seconder of the motion, commented on his understanding that an officer briefing on Universal Credit would take place on 3 September 2018. He also reported that concerns about the implications of the roll out of Universal Credit for South Cambridgeshire had been discussed with officers during the Housing Department Member briefing on 5 July 2018.
Councillor Clayton, in summing up, reiterated his concerns about how Universal Credit was working in practice. He noted that the Department of Work and Pensions had started work on Universal Credit in 2010 and full roll out was now not likely to be completed until 2024. He emphasised that the motion was not intended to pre-empt any work of the Council’s officers but to respond to problems with the system.
Upon being put to the vote, votes were cast as follows:-
In favour (29)
Councillors Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Dr. Martin Cahn, Nigel Cathcart, Sarah Cheung Johnson, Gavin Clayton, Dr. Claire Daunton, Dr. Douglas de Lacey, Clare Delderfield, Peter Fane, Neil Gough, Jose Hales, Bill Handley, Philippa Hart, Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Steve Hunt, Peter McDonald, Brian Milnes, Dawn Percival, Judith Rippeth, Nick Sample, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Dr. Ian Sollom, Aidan Van de Weyer, John Williams and Eileen Wilson.
Against (10)
Councillors Ruth Betson, Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, Tom Bygott, Grenville Chamberlain, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Peter Topping, Bunty Waters, Heather Williams and Nick Wright.
Abstain (0)
Council
RESOLVED:
That South Cambridgeshire District Council write to the Government Minister responsible requesting the immediate suspension of the Universal Credit roll out in South Cambridgeshire. This is now imperative following the National Audit Office report that raised the potential negative impacts on lives of claimants and the questionable economic rationale behind continued implementation.