The ending of the £20-a-week uplift to universal credit “could harm a massive 30,000 people in Brighton and Hove”, the leader of the council warned yesterday (Thursday 7 October).
Green councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “The impact will be particularly felt by children, with the cut potentially pushing 200,000 children below the poverty line all over the country.”
He said that this was happening “in the same year young people have already been acutely affected by lockdown measures and government failures on free school meals”.
The government said that the £20-a-week boost was brought in brought in to support people on low incomes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ministers have said that their goal was for people to earn higher wages, rather than have taxpayer-funded benefit rises, although many MPs – including some Conservatives – want the extra £20 to be permanent.
The benefits boost was withdrawn on Wednesday (6 October) and Councillor Mac Cafferty spelt out his concerns at a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Policy and Resources Committee.
He told the committee, which met at Hove Town Hall: “This is so wrong.” He said that universal credit was being cut yet “all the while the cost of food and essentials rise massively”.
Councillor Mac Cafferty added: “Calculations show this could harm a massive 30,000 people in Brighton and Hove.
“The huge impact – a hit of £6.2 billion per year across the country – cannot be alleviated by the council alone. But council officials are working to provide more support.
“We are supporting voluntary organisations that already work to provide food and essential supplies and will do more through a Winter Grant fund.
“A mental health and debt co-ordinator will work with our public health teams to improve mental health support around the distress of debt collection and debt advice.
“The council’s crisis fund – albeit limited – can also assist with essential items and we’re looking at how we can make these support funds go further.
“The free Local Energy Advice Partnership can fit free energy-saving kits, check if people are eligible for insulation of a new boiler, help people find cheaper deals and give practical advice and support.
“Any residents who need this help can call 0800 060 7567 or visit www.applyforleap.org.uk.
“On top of this, the council is funding a programme that means community and voluntary groups are able to reach those in greatest need.
“This includes Moneyworks and advice partnerships who can support families on the brink or concerned about debt.
“Next month, the council will also report on our proposals to insulate the council’s leaky housing stock, following on from the £5.2 million investment made by Greens for this work.”
The temporary £20 increase, introduced last year, officially ended yesterday although the exact date when the money will stop being paid will vary depending on which day people usually receive their benefits.
Some 5.8 million in Great Britain are estimated to receive universal credit, with almost 40 per cent of claimants being classed as in work.
Just sort out the bins, Phelim, or resign. You must be aware everyone is sick to death of the incompetent Greens
During a previous administration, the replacement of my existing perfectly good double glazing (installed by Hove Borough Council in the 1990’s) with poor quality trickle vent glazing resulted in creation of a draughty flat requiring greater use of electrricity to be warm in winter. That is a worry now energy prices are set to really go through the roof. And unless the new balcony door is locked, it can open unexpectedly – a worry in winter now I have lost mobility.
So the council says around 12% of B&H are on universal credit. Nationally this figure is around 9%. So why is our level around a third higher than the national average? Seems very worrying (if the council’s figures are correct) and, if so, what is being done to address this core issue (of which the benefit cut is a symptom).
We don’t seem to have a high level of unemployment, so looks like the issue may be poor pay levels for those working.
Well…yes….low pay combined with sky-high rents. Not hard to see why the figure would be higher in B&H.
Plus all the catchment from the Greens sanctuary city.
What goes around, comes around.
Meanwhile Skidrow-on-Sea has bags of rubbish everywhere because of the bin strike.
Despicable Greens.
In addition to the LEAP programme mentioned above, Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-op (BHESCo) also offer free help and advice to local residents who are struggling with heating costs and issues of damp and cold.
More details here: https://bhesco.co.uk/fuel-poverty-energy-bills-brighton-hove
More local politicians commenting on national politics which they cannot influence. Perhaps a cunning distraction from this administrations total inability to sort out the refuse strike.
Rubbish!
Good news. Plenty of jobs so he does not need to worry. Every restaurant, hotel and many shops are advertising for staff. They just need to do some more work. Perhaps he can give them some jobs cleaning graffiti if he is so concerned about this.
Ah Angela what a simple world you live in. How do you know these jobs pay enough to cover the extortionate rents in the city along with other day to day costs such as food or childcare?. Many people on universal credit are working but employers pay peanuts. Maybe educate yourself a little before making such simplistic comments
The Council should go ‘hell-for-leather’ to attract companies to move to Brighton.
It’s the only way to increase the prosperity of the city.
More factories, mores distribution and transport jobs, more service industry jobs.
The council investing and providing sites and helping with the cost of training etc.
Moaning about ‘dole money’ is not going to fix the problem.
We are going to lose £86 per month out of our universal credit , how are we meant to pay Bill’s such as electricity gas water they are all doubling food will go up and universal credit goes down .
Unfortunately I cant work due to health conditions but have worked for 36 years and paid my tax and national insurance, this Tory goverment doesn’t care about the normal people .
This winter there will be thousands of people having to choose between heating electricity or food I hope boris and his cronies are proud of them selves .
Best idea. Get a job or move somewhere cheaper. Simple. Why should people get free money for not being successful or living somewhere they can’t afford? Or having kids when can’t afford it. Bonkers