NIGHT shelter staff have criticised the Universal Credit benefits system for impacting “dreadfully” on vulnerable people in Colchester.

In an annual report to trustees, Rusel Broadway, Colchester Night Shelter’s tenancy sustainment officer, confirmed the continued roll-out of the system was having a negative impact.

The shelter admitted 172 people throughout 2019 and offered 5,803 “nights” to its clients.

Mr Broadway said clients who had found a home were finding the transition from previous benefits systems especially difficult.

“They are reassessed during the transition and either lose their DLA, being refused personal independence payments at the same time, or find themselves moved from ESA to the work ready group for Universal Credit," he said.

“Many clients find their income severely reduced and the commitments regime of Universal Credit to be unattainable.

“This can quickly lead to the clients being sanctioned which can affect their motivation and mental health.”

Universal Credit was approved in the Welfare Reform Act of 2012 and first appeared in 2013.

By the end of 2018, it was rolled out to all job centres, with 2.3 million people receiving the new benefit by the end of July.

Mr Broadway said: “Although homeless people are supposed to be seen as a group who have complex needs, this does not percolate its way through to the job coaches and the front line.

“This is especially true in the case of those clients with poor literacy or who have poor or no IT skills.

“These people are unable to manage their UC Journals or understand letters or messages coming out of the Department for Work and Pensions.

“Also affected, in a dreadfully negative way, are those able to work but who are homeless and trying to find accommodation to move on from the shelter.”

The shelter found such clients, who are expected to find work while living in supported accommodation, have been “forced” back into homelessness.

Mr Broadway said: “The ongoing cost of supported accommodation prohibits them from saving money to then be able to actually move into any stable accommodation.”

Colchester MP Will Quince insisted Universal Credit is a “force for good” which will improve with time and investment.

Mr Quince, who is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “Universal Credit is a force for good as we can see as more and more people get into work and stay in work. This doesn’t mean there aren’t issues, which we work constantly to tackle.”

He also pointed to the provision of “rough sleeping specialists” in job centres.

He said: “I know there is a lot more we need to do, but fundamentally it is a good system which can work really well.

“In April of next year we will launch a new fund of £10 million to help disadvantaged and vulnerable groups tackle Universal Credit.

“We are aware there is a small group of people who lead chaotic, hectic lives, who need help.

“I am also talking about vulnerable people suffering drug and alcohol addiction, mental health problems or a family break down.”