SFHA Challenges Welfare Secretary To Address Major Social Security Concerns

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has challenged Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Welfare Delivery Will Quince MP to address the “major concerns” it has regarding social security delivery. 

SFHA has written to Mr Quince after his responsibilities changed following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle to call on him to deliver six changes to the welfare system in order to help those who rely on it to survive:

1. end the five-week wait for money. People should be able to get a payment in the middle of this period, and there should be greater flexibility on payment frequency for all
2. more data sharing between DWP and social landlords and the restoration of implicit consent will mean landlords can better support tenants and prevent problems. This is key to the success of managed migration
3. where benefit is paid directly to the landlord, we need a system that is fit for purpose, with the landlord receiving the payment on the same cycle as the tenant
4. increased funding for support and advice to make sure people do not miss out on entitlement, including allowing backdating for more claims
5. making sure that work pays for everyone by matching monthly assessments to earnings within that period, improving work allowances and reducing the taper
6. restore inflation linked uprating to working age benefits from April 2020.

Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, said:

“Like our sister organisations across the UK, we have major concerns over the current system. It is not fit for purpose and is leaving many at risk of, or living in, poverty – and this must be addressed urgently.

“These six asks must be delivered, and we have challenged Mr Quince to do this. We have also invited him to visit us in Scotland, where we can showcase some of the great work our members do and discuss further how we could work together to combat poverty and improve opportunities.”

Ends

For further information, please contact SFHA Media Adviser Kirsten Walker on t: 0141 567 6221 m: 0788 788 8348 email: kwalker@sfha.co.uk

Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk

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NOTES:

1. SFHA submission to Social Affairs Committee.
2. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) was established in 1975 and has around 133 members providing affordable housing and wider community services across Scotland, as well as a further 150 sector associates. The SFHA is owned and governed by its members and exists to lead, represent and support the work of housing associations and co-operatives throughout Scotland.
3. The SFHA is the voice of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland. SFHA’s 133 members represent 85% of the sector, own and manage 86% of the 247,000+ housing association stock across Scotland. Together, housing associations and co-operatives provide housing for almost 500,000 people, which is one in every 11 households.
4. Over 15,000 staff are employed by SFHA members across Scotland, 93% of the staff within the sector.
5. Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies, regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.