Butt pledges no council evictions due to Universal Credit rent arrears

Counihan Campaign in Brent 2012

I understand both Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Brent Council lead member for Housing and Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, promised that there would be no evictions of council tenants in rent arrears due to Universal Credit delays, following the unanimous approval of the motion below at Brent Constituency Labour Party GC.

MOTION: RENT ARREARS and UNIVERSAL CREDIT

This GC notes the clear evidence that where Universal Credit has been rolled out more people are made homeless as a result of rent arrears. The main causes of arrears are the five week delay in first  payment of Universal Credit and other delays caused by DWP error.

We therefore call on Brent Labour Group to follow the lead of Camden Council in refusing to evict tenants in such circumstances and to urge registered social landlords and private landlords to do the same.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The demand was first made at the meeting on Universal Credit held at Chalhill Community Centre on November 18^th 2018.  Report on Wembley Matters HERE

-->