Written evidence submitted by Carl
Lamb
1.0 SUMMARY
1.1 The briefing below looks at the localism with
the proposed Universal Credits System and poses the question:
Should Housing Benefit remain a local benefit or can Local Authorities
play a greater role in the administration of Universal Credits.
2.0 A greater Role for Local Authorities?
2.1 While I fully applaud the objectives of the new
Universal Credit, why is it being administered by Central Government?
Removing Housing Benefit from local authority control and centralising
it within DWP goes completely in the face of localism. Why can't
councils process Universal Credit? Councils are best placed to
understand local needs, local people and deliver local services
that customer's value. They have demonstrated over the last five
years that they are actually very good at processing benefit claims
(just compare their performance with DWP and HMRC) as well as
delivering customer focused services based on true consultation
with customers and stakeholders.
2.2 There is also the argument that Housing Benefit
is in fact a local benefit and should remain as such. Taking away
the link between local housing costs and the amount of housing
benefit is misguided. This will only lead to further homelessness
and less confidence in the system form landlords, withdrawing
from the HB market. Also what happens to direct payments to landlords
under a new system? How does this fit with Universal credits?
2.3 Local authorities have worked very hard to improve
links with landlords, social providers, tenants etc and developed
local policies around landlord accreditation, homelessness strategies
and joined up services with third sector partners (For example
our council has staff based at the three major social landlords
within the area to process claims when tenants first sign up for
their tenancy). Housing benefit plays a major part in these very
local issues.
2.4 Many councils are streets ahead of DWP in terms
of innovation and delivering tailored service. My Council already
take new benefit applications over the web. These are then integrated
with back office systems, saving significant time and money. They
also offer tailored services for different segments of society.
For example, a face to face appointment service is available for
customers to have their claim processed there and then. This eliminates
waste through repeat contact and ensures claims are processed
the same day, giving landlords confidence and preventing hardship
and eviction. A similar service is delivered via visitors for
people that are vulnerable, taking away barriers to claiming benefit.
2.5 I believe that localisation of Universal credit
would have been the truly radical and progressive option and only
fear that we will end up with a remote, less accountable and highly
rigid "one size fits" all service. Just look at the
lack of innovation and the lack of local discretion available
within the Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus.
2.6 I guess the main question is how does Universal
Credit fit into the Localism Bill and the DWP business plan which
clearly states "it will not hold onto power ineffectively
and will seek to devolve power to local communities where appropriate?"
December 2010
| 
