Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission reveals troubling impact of Universal Credit on tenants

THE Liverpool City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission published troubling findings from the Region's Housing Associations on the impact of Universal Credit.  The shocking findings have revealed that Housing Association tenants, on Universal Credit, make up 21% of all those in arrears, with over ₤5.2 million owed, even though just 9% of Housing Association tenants are on Universal Credit. The average rent balance stands at ₤462 compared to ₤173 for those not in receipt of Universal Credit. The rent collection rate for tenants on Universal Credit is lower than that for other tenants.

Alternative Payment Arrangements (APAs) are available for claimants who can't manage the standard Universal Credit payment. In the Liverpool City Region, the proportion of customers requiring an APA stands at 38%. Tenants who require an APA are on average ₤704 in arrears, compared with ₤294 worth of arrears for those who don't.

In certain parts of the Region, individual Housing Associations report that:-

► 24.9% of tenants are in receipt of Universal Credit, but owe 63.7% of their total arrears.

► Their increase in total arrears directly attributable to Universal Credit among tenants has increased by ₤210,000 in the past year.

► Prior to claiming Universal Credit, their average arrears balance was ₤207. It is now ₤365.

Commenting on the findings, Commission member and Chief Executive of Halton Housing, Nick Atkin, said:- "Liverpool City Region's Housing Associations have collectively welcomed the introduction of the landlord portal. It has helped speed up the housing cost verification process and made it easier to submit applications for APAs. The portal also provides a list of all Universal Credit claimants who have submitted their claim since the portal 'go live' date for individual Housing Associations. But with the migration of legacy claimants to Universal Credit approaching in 2019, Housing Associations are calling for the portal to do more to help them manage the increased number of Universal Credit recipients."

The Chair of the Commission, Frank Field MP, added:- "These findings are hugely troubling, for 2 reasons. First, they show that tenants who have been worn down by years of cuts to benefits, wages, and tax credits, are now being thrown into all sorts of trouble by Universal Credit. 2nd, that trouble is spreading into our Housing Associations who are having to deploy larger and larger sums to prevent arrears from spiralling out of control, and to protect tenants from spiralling into destitution. Without an urgent package of reforms to Universal Credit, tenants and their landlords could soon be pushed to breaking point."

The Commission is backing the Housing Associations' calls to the Government for reforms that will enable them to focus greatest support on vulnerable tenants, including:-

► Providing details of the claimant's housing cost, so that appropriate and affordable payment plans can be put in place.

► Migrating all existing Universal Credits onto the landlord portal, so landlords have an accurate list of all tenants claiming Universal Credit.

► Highlighting tenants who are impacted by the Benefit Cap, and providing information on any deductions from housing costs, such as for spare rooms or non dependants.

Although applying for APAs has been simplified by the portal, APA payments continue to be paid on the ⅓ party 4 weekly schedule. These are often delayed by several weeks from the date the payment has been deducted from the customer's Univeral Credit payment. APA payments should be aligned with customer's Universal Credit payment dates.

Out of the 11 housing associations in the Liverpool City Region, five have been transferred to Full Service and 6 are still operating under Live Service Universal Credit.

The findings reflect some similar emerging results as reported earlier this month in this report published by Liverpool City Council on the unintended consequences of Universal Credit.

What are your views about this issue?  Does it affect you or anyone you know? Please let us know your thoughts, via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com today.

1 in 2 people in the North West couldn't name a single symptom of heart disease

AN online poll, conducted by YouGov, asked British people to select which of the 12 symptoms of heart disease they were aware of. The survey also asked if people undertook measures specifically to improve heart health. The survey was supported by HeartFlow; a medical technology company working with more than 20 NHS Hospitals to help better diagnose coronary heart disease (CHD.)

Awareness of symptoms:-

'Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the chest' was the symptom most widely recognised by the North West at 67%, with heart palpitations (56%.) 'Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the arms' (52%) in 2nd and 3rd place. There was less familiarity in the North West with indicators such as feelings of indigestion (25%,) nausea (21%) and 'pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the abdomen' (15%.)

In order of awareness, the symptoms were:-

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the chest (67%)

► Heart palpitations (56%)

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the arms (52%)

► Feeling breathless after non-strenuous activity (51%)

► Dizziness / light headedness (29%)

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the jaw (29%)

► Heartburn (27%)

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the neck (26%)

► Feelings of indigestion (25%)

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the back (24%)

► Nausea (21%)

► Pain, tightness, numbness or a burning sensation in the abdomen (15%)

The North West joined the South East in having the highest awareness of symptoms, but 21% of people were still unable to identify any symptoms of CHD. In the North East, the region with the lowest awareness, this number rose to 44%.

Dr. Campbell Rogers, Chief Medical Officer, HeartFlow said:- "A lack of awareness about some of the key symptoms of coronary heart disease, a condition that kills 66,000 people in the UK every year, is a serious concern. Educating Brits on the symptoms, and how we can better look after this vital organ is the most effective means to reduce the impact of this disease. Now that our HeartFlow Analysis is being used in more than 20 NHS Hospitals to help physicians tackle coronary heart disease, we wanted to understand gaps in knowledge so that educational strategies can be implemented and patient outcomes improved."

Residents urged to take care with wheelie bins over Bonfire period

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to help prevent their household wheelie bins becoming targets for arsonists over the Bonfire period. Arson attacks on wheelie bins and refuse containers in the Merseyside area have nearly doubled in the last three years around Bonfire night, with 80 incidents taking place over the bonfire period last year, almost double the number of incidents during the same period in 2014 when 41 were recorded. Domestic refuse bins can become easy fire targets outside properties particularly if they are left out after collection days. This year during the past 3 weeks alone, crews from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have dealt with 24 fires linked to wheelie bins and refuse containers, with incidents taking place across Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral. With the risk of arson attacks on wheelie bins likely to increase in the next week during the run up to Bonfire night itself, residents are being asked to be extra vigilant and keep their bins in safe areas.

Michael Buratti, Arson Team Manager for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said:- "The risk of wheelie bins being targeted during the run up to Bonfire night has increased in recent years and the figures in Merseyside in 2017 reflect that. Incidents like this are the result of irresponsible and dangerous behaviour, putting both the lives of residents and the safety of their properties at risk. We would urge local residents to take care in helping to minimise the risk of their bins being targeted. Only put your bin out on the day of collection and bring it back in immediately. Store it in a safe area away from windows and doors if possible."

For fire safety advice call Merseyside and Rescue Service on:- 0800 731 5958. It is outside office hours, please leave a message with your details and a contact number:- 0800 731 5958.