Agenda item

5.1

Tim Hardie, Head of Commercial Business Development, attended the meeting to provide an update on the latest position in respect of Universal Credit. He reported that Sheffield was one of the last cities to move to a full rollout in respect of Universal Credit. It was too early to say what the impact had been in Sheffield but lessons could be learnt from the impacts in other cities.

5.2

It was a challenge to the Council as the scheme was run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Council had to react to any issues arising from it. There had been a Universal Credit Partnership established including representatives from the DWP and the Voluntary Sector which was a good example of partnership working.

5.3

Mr Hardie added that one of the biggest challenges was that Universal Credit could only be applied for online and support needed to be provided in places such as job centres and libraries where people could access online services. Officers were compiling data and dashboards around key matrix of the impacts. It was hoped that this would be completed by now although this was still in progress.

5.4

Responding to a question from a Member regarding constituents’ queries regarding issues with Universal Credit, Tim Hardie stated that it was important that Members were aware that any issues should be referred to the DWP or the Job Centre as there wasn’t anything that the Council could do. Council tenants should, however, contact the Council if there had been delays caused by the rollout in paying rent. There was information on Universal Credit available on the Council’s website. Rates of Council Housing evictions were being monitored and the Universal Credit Partnership was a good forum for monitoring food bank usage.

5.5

In response to a further question from a Member, Tim Hardie commented that the Partnership had mapped the level of digital support available. He acknowledged that certain parts of the City would have less coverage than others. He would circulate the mapping document to Members.

5.6

The Chair, Councillor Josie Paszek, commented that it was important to support those who were more vulnerable to criminal elements such as door to door money lenders. She requested that Tim Hardie clarify if the Credit Union was part of the Universal Credit partnership.

5.7

In conclusion, Tim Hardie stated that the impact of Universal Credit would be monitored over the next couple of months and he would report back to a future meeting of the Committee.

5.8

Resolved: That the presentation be noted and a further update be provided to a future meeting of the Committee.