Agenda item - Local impacts of HMG Green Paper - 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working'

This Council Notes:

1.     Government proposals in the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper 2029-30, would reform the welfare system in a number of ways: increasing the Universal Credit standard rate and the value of disability benefits for those considered most disabled; scrapping the Work Capability Assessment; introducing the ‘right to try’ and reforming the disability benefit assessment; narrowing the eligibility criteria to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and reducing health-condition related Universal Credit (UC-H).

There is much to be welcomed in the Green Paper overhauling, as it does, a broken welfare system. However local impacts if not mitigated, could include:

·        Increased rent arrears among privately renting households that include disabled people;

·        Increased pressure on social services

·        Increased use of food banks

·        The loss of carers’ allowance by some of the carers in the City caring for people no longer eligible for PIP

This Council resolves to:

1.     Respond to the Government’s consultation by 30 June requesting:

·        a full impact assessment be undertaken before any changes are implemented;

·        increased and flexible funding from central government budgets to the NHS and local councils, such as through the Household Support Fund, so services can provide financial and wraparound support to residents who may lose access to disability benefits;

·        meaningful co-production with disabled people in shaping all government policy, so that policies and services are developed in a way that responds to the needs and experiences of disabled people, promoting their full participation and inclusion in society

4.1      The Joint Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Sykes on behalf of the Green Group and an Independent Member which was formally seconded by Councillor De Oliveira.

4.2      The mayor noted that there was an amendment from the Labour Group in relation to this motion as set out in the addendum papers.

4.3      Councillor Allen moved the amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Sankey.

4.4      Councillors Goldsmith, McNair, Czolak, Earthey, Davis, Lyons, Taylor, Hill and Meadows spoke in the general debate on the matter.

4.5      Councillor Sykes responded to the debate and did not accept the amendment.

4.6      Councillor Goldsmith called for a recorded vote on the amendment which was put to the vote and carried.

4.7      The mayor put the amendment by the Labour Group to the vote.

4.8      The mayor confirmed that the amendment had been carried by 30 votes to 9 with 4 abstentions.

4.9      The mayor put the motion as amended to the vote and confirmed that the motion had been carried.

Resolved -

This Council Notes:

1.     Government proposals in the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper 2029-30, would reform the welfare system in a number of ways: increasing the Universal Credit standard rate and the value of disability benefits for those considered most disabled; scrapping the Work Capability Assessment; introducing the ‘right to try’ and reforming the disability benefit assessment; narrowing the eligibility criteria to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and reducing health-condition related Universal Credit (UC-H).

There is much to be welcomed in the Green Paper overhauling, as it does, a broken welfare system. However local impacts if not mitigated, could include:

·        Increased rent arrears among privately renting households that include disabled people;

·        Increased pressure on social services

·        Increased use of food banks

·        The loss of carers’ allowance by some of the carers in the City caring for people no longer eligible for PIP

This Council resolves to:

1.     Respond to the Government’s consultation by 30 June requesting:

·        a full impact assessment be undertaken before any changes are implemented;

·        increased and flexible funding from central government budgets to the NHS and local councils, such as through the Household Support Fund, so services can provide financial and wraparound support to residents who may lose access to disability benefits;

·        meaningful co-production with disabled people in shaping all government policy, so that policies and services are developed in a way that responds to the needs and experiences of disabled people, promoting their full participation and inclusion in society