Universal credit schemes spark fears of spiralling running costs

摘要

Nationwide pilot schemes for universal credits have revealed 'a lot to be worried about", a cross-party committee of MPs heard this week. The Government's flagship welfare reform project, which is due to be rolled out nationwide from October, could lead to spiralling administration costs for councils and housing associations. Speaking to the Commons communities and local government committee on 28 January, Kevin Dodd, chief executive of Wakefield District Housing - a housing association with 31,000 properties - listed a raft of problems emerging from its pilot. Since the pilot was launched last autumn, Mr Dodd said debts for participants had increased almost fourfold to an average 11% of the debit, compared with the normal 2.9%.