Welfare
The heart of the welfare system
Kate Shannon Local Government Correspondent
Controversial changes to the welfare system will increase poverty and put vulnerable people at risk, according to Scotland’s local authority umbrella group
Te UK Government’s plans to change the welfare system have caused outcry in many sectors. Councils, who provide a number of the services which will be altered under the Welfare Reform Bill, are understandably worried about the shake-up. Te Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which represents the interests of councils in Scotland, has raised many concerns about the serious potential consequences of the reforms. A key feature of the Bill, which is currently passing through Westminster, is the introduction of an all-in-one benefit, the universal credit, which will replace a number of other benefits and tax credits, and will be paid direct to recipients. Tis is just one area where COSLA has foreseen problems arising for local authorities.
In terms of housing, many tenants will have
responsibility to pay their rent themselves, from the universal credit, instead of it being paid directly to landlords. COSLA has warned that the change could mean a rise in rent arrears and local authorities could lose £50m a year. Tis, in turn, could see less money invested in council houses as well as more families facing eviction and homelessness. COSLA wants the payment of housing benefits directly to social landlords to be retained and said while the Bill may give more responsibility to claimants, it fails to take into account vulnerable people who will struggle to budget and pay bills. COSLA said the universal credit will have winners and losers. It could strengthen employment incentives to those with the weakest motivation to work but second earners
When welfare reform bites, who will your constituents turn to?
When welfare and benefit changes are introduced, people will turn to their local citizens advice bureau. They already do.
In 2010/11 alone, bureaux across Scotland helped clients with 203,000 new benefit issues. This is an 8% increase on the year before. Over coming years, changes to the UK welfare system will have a major impact on Scotland’s people and services, including the loss of £2 billion to the Scottish economy.
We know that Scottish bureaux are a trusted source of help. Good independent advice is a preventative service which ultimately saves money and has better social outcomes.
With more, we can do more. There will be plenty to do. Support your local and national Scottish CAB Service.
www.cas.org.uk/welfarechanges 12 December 2011
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