Stop rollout of Universal Credit or homeless numbers will double – Andy Burnham

The number of rough sleepers in Manchester will double unless sweeping changes to the benefit system are stopped, according to the city’s Mayor.



The former Labour MP said there was a consensus from the region’s public officials that the number of homeless people could only rise if Universal Credit continued.

Speaking after a meeting aimed at tackling the region’s homelessness crisis, which was attended by a Department for Work and Pensions official, Burnham said: “This is not a political point from me. I’m speaking here for the NHS, public health colleagues, police, fire.

“The entire public sector in Greater Manchester has supported what I’m about to say, which is a plea to the prime minister and the government to suspend the rollout of universal credit.

“It was the unanimous view of the meeting that if the rollout goes ahead as planned it will make our problem dramatically worse.”

The Government has repeatedly voiced its intention to rollout Universal Credit across the whole of the UK, despite calls from both Scottish and Northern Irish officials to put the brakes on the scheme.

Concerns have been raised that claimants are being forced to rely on food banks as the Government introduced a six-week waiting period for anyone applying for Universal Credit.

Speaking after the meeting of public bodies from across Greater Manchester, Burnham said those in the room believed that the region’s estimated 400 rough sleepers could “at least double” if the rollout is not postponed.

“I do say in all sincerity, no politics at all in this, please listen to what those experts are saying and put that rollout on hold because if it goes ahead as planned we will see a much greater problem unfold before our eyes,” said the former health secretary.

“It’s a genuine statement that represents the feelings of those public bodies, and secondly I’d say to the government that they need to give it some credence because many of our public bodies volunteered to be pilots for universal credit.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said the benefit scheme remained at the heart of the Government’s policy designed to improve claimant’s quality of life.

“Universal credit lies at the heart of our commitment to help people improve their lives and raise their incomes.

“The vast majority of claimants are paid in full and on time, and are comfortable managing their money but budgeting advice, benefit advances and direct rent payments

to landlords can be provided for those who need extra help and we know that over time people adjust to managing monthly payments.”