Welfare Reform

Depth_Charge

Hi

Latest

Church of England faces fresh clash with coalition ministers over welfare reform after publishing a new report according to Telegraph article -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10136435/Church-of-England-faces-fresh-clash-with-ministers-over-welfare-reform.html

Depth_Charge

Hi

Another article from the BBC

Uncertain future for pension income

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23030195

Growurown

Another article from the BBC, it seems that Mr. Osborne is set to tighten the screw even further.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23058853

Depth_Charge

Hi

Citizens Advice Gillian Guy responds to the spending review -

And she gets it right again in my opinion

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press20130626.htm

Depth_Charge

Hi

Rent arrears rise, properties remain empty and more news on the effect of the 'so named' bedroom tax according National Housing Federation report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23122369

Still early days really, but the impact is starting to be felt, got to get worse in my opinion.

Growurown

Depth_Charge wrote: »

Hi

Rent arrears rise, properties remain empty and more news on the effect of the 'so named' bedroom tax according National Housing Federation report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23122369

Still early days really, but the impact is starting to be felt, got to get worse in my opinion.

I agree that things will get worse. Many people I work with in the community feel totally helpless. They can't afford to pay the extra housing benefit, they can't afford to move and even if they could there is nowhere to move to. There simply aren't enough smaller properties for people to move into.

The most ridiculous thing about all this though is that the three bed housing association properties they live in are cheaper to rent than a privately owned to let one bed flat. What's the point?

Depth_Charge

Growurown wrote: »

I agree that things will get worse. Many people I work with in the community feel totally helpless. They can't afford to pay the extra housing benefit, they can't afford to move and even if they could there is nowhere to move to. There simply aren't enough smaller properties for people to move into.

The most ridiculous thing about all this though is that the three bed housing association properties they live in are cheaper to rent than a privately owned to let one bed flat. What's the point?

Hi

According to the article ministers are 'closely monitoring' the impact.

I am not sure exactly what the above means to be honest, but another minister is doing something similar with the Payday Loan market & industry think - monitoring and having concerns

It is now fast becoming an all round dreadful mess, overseen by people who in my opinion don't have a clue, don't care and I would like to put something else but I would probably get at least a 'nod' threatening legal action.....again!

The combined effect of this, debt (including the payday loan issues) and everything else is awful for the affected communities.

If this goes on unabated it will more than likely cost us all in the long run.

The face to face agencies and support groups are already past breaking point.

More Debt Relief Orders or nothing to pay into existing DMP arrangements as any spare money evaporates into thin air.

The independence and impartiality of certain debt advice agencies and companies likely to come severely under the cosh test wise.

The well intentioned Credit Unions and budgeting groups (which I support and am active in) wont even scratch the surface the way things are going, they will just play the part of damage limitation, if even that.

Hope I am wrong, but it is not looking good

My opinions

Growurown

Depth_Charge wrote: »

If this goes on unabated it will more than likely cost us all in the long run.

Definitely. There will be more evictions and homelessness, more crime, more interventions by social services and a bigger health bill as the stress and depression kicks in or gets worse.

I understand that there isn't enough housing to go around, and I agree that people living in social housing too big for their needs should be encouraged to downsize, but they need somewhere to downsize to. Most of the single people I know claiming housing benefit and paying the bedroom tax are in their 50's/60's. Their partners have either left or died and their children grown up and left home. Some of them have lived in their houses for more than thirty years and are now expected to move into flats some of which are three floors up. Not ideal as you are getting older and many flats have young people living in them, and in my experience the two age groups don't mix well and older people don't want to live with them. It's not surprising they don't want to move. Give people a reasonable alternative.

Growurown

A report from Crisis regarding homelessness

http://www.crisis.org.uk/data/files/policy_research/TheHomelessnessMonitor_GB_ExecutiveSummary.pdf

Depth_Charge

Growurown wrote: »

Definitely. There will be more evictions and homelessness, more crime, more interventions by social services and a bigger health bill as the stress and depression kicks in or gets worse.

I understand that there isn't enough housing to go around, and I agree that people living in social housing too big for their needs should be encouraged to downsize, but they need somewhere to downsize to. Most of the single people I know claiming housing benefit and paying the bedroom tax are in their 50's/60's. Their partners have either left or died and their children grown up and left home. Some of them have lived in their houses for more than thirty years and are now expected to move into flats some of which are three floors up. Not ideal as you are getting older and many flats have young people living in them, and in my experience the two age groups don't mix well and older people don't want to live with them. It's not surprising they don't want to move. Give people a reasonable alternative.

Hi

I agree

This latest article paints a pretty disturbing picture in merseyside

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-23183352

Just look at the figures for people getting into arrears for the first time.

It is turning into a quagmire situation that can only get worse

They might have to pull it you know or at least review

My take as always