- Conference
- 2013 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 18 September 2012
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the Tory Led Coalition is seeking to make major changes to the Welfare Benefit system and that these will have a direct and devastating impact on Black communities.
The key changes are:-
a. There will be a reduction in the amount of housing benefit awarded to social housing tenants of working age who are assessed to be living in a property that has too many bedrooms for the families housing needs
b. There will be a cap on the amount of benefit anyone of working age can receive.
c. From October 2013 to 2017 Universal Credit will be introduced on a phased basis. It will replace means tested benefits such as Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Related Employment; & Support Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit.
d. Direct payment of rent to landlords will stop with the introduction of Universal Credit. The element within Universal Credit for housing costs will be paid directly to claimants of working age.
A survey conducted by the DWP estimates that:
• The reduction and capping of benefits will impact disproportionately on black and minority ethnic communities as many live in areas targeted by the cuts and will often need larger accommodation due to family size
• Child poverty rates for black and minority ethnic families in the UK are higher than the national average and Housing Benefit cuts are likely to increase this disparity.
• Increased conditions for working age claimants is more likely to impact on black and minority ethnic claimants as they are disproportionately represented among workless households.
• Some of the reductions in Housing Benefit do not apply to claimants with disabilities, however, black and minority ethnic claimants are less likely to claim the benefits that provide this protection.
• Black 24-35 year olds who live alone and are in receipt of housing benefit could lose up to £40 per week.
UNISON’s campaigning should include building a data base on how welfare reform will impact on black members:
Therefore Conference calls upon the National Black Members Committee to work with the National Executive Council and Labour Link to lobby Government to ensure that the changes being proposed highlight the affects that they are having on black members in particular and:
1)Include updates and information on the Welfare Reform Act in Black Action and the National Black Members Webpage;
2)Identify clear examples of how the changes to Housing Benefit and Welfare Reform will affect Black Members and their communities;
3)Highlight campaigns that are looking to protect Welfare and Housing Rights as they affect black members.