Fix Universal Credit - Labour Graphic
Fix Universal Credit - Labour Graphic

At this months full council Cllr Judith Smyth put forward an important motion on Universal credit, which is now the only way that new claimants in Portsmouth can apply for and claim benefits which they are entitled to. Existing claimants will be transferred to the new system next year.

Worried about the effect on people with disabilities, the 25,000 children and young people already living in poverty here in Portsmouth and particularly those isolated and lonely, Cllr Judith Smyth said:

“Universal credit looks possible on paper but in practice it has been a disaster. This is due to delays in payment, reliance on online interaction and cuts made to the overall budget by George Osborne in the name of austerity. The most vulnerable people in our city are suffering the hardest. It is a fundamental job of good government to support the most vulnerable people”

Cllr Judith Smyth added:

“We know a huge amount is already being done by city council staff, voluntary and community organisations and local officers in the Department of Work and pensions to minimise the impact of the roll out here in Portsmouth”

After a moving deputation on the affects of universal credit on disabled claimants by former Labour Councillor and Alderman Jon Atrill, an amendment was tabled that came with a number of key actions for the city council and asks the Cabinet to do what it can to reduce the effects of this by,

– Support services for claimants during their first year adjusting to UC should be continued by this council and other agencies.

– Learn from elsewhere about how best to develop effective support for the most isolated and vulnerable individuals and families.

– Conduct a study of the effects of the introduction of UC on claimants by collecting information from individuals and families and all the agencies supporting claimants so that we can press for changes to the system if it continues to fail the most disadvantaged and ensure that future support for claimants is adequate and effective.

– Individuals and families who may find universal credit so difficult that they may lose tenancies, go hungry and suffer from further stress and asks Cabinet do what it can to reduce the effects of this, too often punitive, new process.

The amended motion was unanimously agreed by full council. This provides all Portsmouth residents who have recently moved on to universal credit or who will be moving onto the scheme next year piece of mind that the city council is doing all it can to support them.

There is a peaceful demonstration against Universal Credit here in Portsmouth on the 10th November at 11am outside the guildhall.

 

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