Backbench Business Debate The rollout of Universal Credit, House of Commons, Thursday 16 November 2017

Many councils have been successful in developing innovative, cross-organisational approaches to delivering welfare reform locally. However, there have been substantial challenges presented by the scale of the reforms, including the introduction of UC alongside the wider reforms.

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Key messages

  • Local authorities continue to play an important role in managing the impacts of welfare reform in their communities, including the rollout of the Universal Credit (UC) Full Service. It is therefore crucial that councils’ concerns about the effect of the rollout of UC on residents and services are listened to by the Government.
  • Many councils have been successful in developing innovative, cross-organisational approaches to delivering welfare reform locally. However, there have been substantial challenges presented by the scale of the reforms, including the introduction of UC alongside the wider reforms.
  • Councils have raised concerns about the design and implementation of the UC Full Service to date, in particular the impact of the waiting period for claimants receiving their first UC payment. Initial feedback from councils shows that this is resulting in a marked increase in debt and rent arrears. This is damaging for households and councils’ ability to invest in social housing.

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Backbench Business Debate The rollout of Universal Credit, House of Commons, Thursday 16 November 2017