STEVEN Broomhead, chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, talks about the problems of Universal Credit

THERE is a growing anxiety and concerns regarding the gulf between the principle and the practices of the implementation of Universal Credit nationally and here in Warrington.

This is probably the most significant welfare reform in 40 years which brings six programmes into one with clear incentives to encourage people back into work. It was seen as a good idea.

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Warrington was one of the early pilots for Universal Credit introduction and there has been an opportunity to consider some of the administrative challenges and for it to be bedded in during the past three years.

It was a poor decision to make the payments in arrears, leading to non-payment of rents, less disposable income for families and the unforeseen pressures on foodbanks in our town which are now facing unexpected significant demand.

Welfare systems worldwide are plagued by complexity. The USA has 72 federal anti-poverty programmes and France has 35 state pensions so any arrangements to simplify must be welcomed. When it is fully implemented, it will cover £7 out of every £10 in the national working agreement welfare budget.

What is needed is urgent reform in its implementation or there is a risk that it could be as significant a problem as was the Poll Tax of the 80s. The grim stories that are circulating in town about individuals who have to wait for benefits after they have migrated to Universal Credit are heard too often – and are disruptive to family life.

Universal Credit was considered a more generous system than the one it was replacing. This is now not the case with the government using it as a way to save money.

Universal Credit is a good idea but has been poorly implemented. It may be worth rescuing not scrapping. The £1 billion agreed in the Budget may go some way to rectifying the issues. It’s one to keep an eye on.