The following Motion was proposed by Councillor England, and
seconded by Councillor Barry:
1.
This Council notes that Universal Credit, the single monthly
benefit payment which replaces the six current working age
benefits, has now been implemented across most of the country, but
has yet to be rolled out to all benefits claimants in
Dacorum.
2.
This council further notes that within Dacorum the number of people
affected is likely to be in the thousands and is concerned that the
full implementation of Universal Credit in Dacorum is likely to
prove seriously detrimental to the health and wellbeing of those
thousands of local residents.
3.
In recognition of this and of the fact that the move to full
implementation of Universal Credit in other parts of the country
has resulted in considerable financial hardship for many of those
people moving onto this new system of benefit payments; council
requests that before the full roll-out of Universal Credit across
the Borough of Dacorum, measures are found to alleviate hardship
caused by -
a.
The five week wait for claimants to receive their
benefits.
b.
Payments going to one named member of a household.
c.
The rent element of benefit being included in payments to
Claimants
4.
To support the measures taken to alleviate hardship, the council
requests that an additional financial provision be included in the
budget for 2020/2021 to provide for hardship payments and/or
loans.
5. In addition, Council requests
that the Leaders of the Political Groups of the Council write to
the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to urge that
amendments to Universal Credit be introduced that will -
a.
End benefit sanctions as there is no evidence that sanctioning
helps people into work.
b.
Allow all new claimants to apply for Universal Credit in job
centres supported by trained job centre staff rather than forcing
new claimants to apply on-line.
c.
Abandon the in-work conditionality for part-time or low paid
workers.
d.
Increase the overall level to which Universal Credit is
funded.