Welfare Reform Mitigations Working Group Report
The Working Group led by Professor Eileen Evason was established as part of the ‘Fresh Start’ agreement and was tasked with bringing forward proposals within the £585 million financial envelope (and within the 8 sub-envelopes) to maximise the use of these additional resources.
The Report was published on Tuesday 19th January and can be accessed here.
The Report has three strands. The first recommends supplementary payments and other measures to assist carers, adults with ill health, persons with disability and families – the main groups considered to be adversely affected financially by the welfare reform legalisation. It should also be noted that the provisions in strand one are underwritten by the full mitigation of the bedroom tax. Taking strand one measures and payments (plus the full mitigation of the bedroom tax), it is a unique package of support for vulnerable adults and families in Northern Ireland.
The second strand relates to supporting and protecting those who may struggle with the complex changes to come. The Report recommends a robust structure of independent advice to support those affected by the changes and makes recommendations to protect claimants from the hardship that may occur as a result of the inappropriate application of sanctions.
In the third strand, the Report looks to the future and the introduction of universal credit. In addition to the safeguards already secured - fortnightly payments, split payments and payments direct to landlords – the Report recommends a scheme to assist those on low wages for whom universal credit will provide decreasing support. Additionally, it recommends emergency payments should be available to prevent hardship arising from any limitations of the IT system for universal credit. There are also recommendations relating to the role of the voluntary and community sector in relation to tackling food poverty, raising awareness amongst the general public and assisting with money management.
The Report has been accepted by the NI Executive and passed to the Department for Social Development to implement the recommendations.
The Report has three strands. The first recommends supplementary payments and other measures to assist carers, adults with ill health, persons with disability and families – the main groups considered to be adversely affected financially by the welfare reform legalisation. It should also be noted that the provisions in strand one are underwritten by the full mitigation of the bedroom tax. Taking strand one measures and payments (plus the full mitigation of the bedroom tax), it is a unique package of support for vulnerable adults and families in Northern Ireland.
The second strand relates to supporting and protecting those who may struggle with the complex changes to come. The Report recommends a robust structure of independent advice to support those affected by the changes and makes recommendations to protect claimants from the hardship that may occur as a result of the inappropriate application of sanctions.
In the third strand, the Report looks to the future and the introduction of universal credit. In addition to the safeguards already secured - fortnightly payments, split payments and payments direct to landlords – the Report recommends a scheme to assist those on low wages for whom universal credit will provide decreasing support. Additionally, it recommends emergency payments should be available to prevent hardship arising from any limitations of the IT system for universal credit. There are also recommendations relating to the role of the voluntary and community sector in relation to tackling food poverty, raising awareness amongst the general public and assisting with money management.
The Report has been accepted by the NI Executive and passed to the Department for Social Development to implement the recommendations.