Assembly Member Baker condemns Government inaction following jump in Universal Credit claimants in Havering and Redbridge

London Assembly Member Elly Baker has called on the Government to address low pay following new figures showing that there are 23,377 claimants in Havering and 33,005 in Redbridge. The figure has jumped by 360 in Havering and 630 in Redbridge in a month, reaching a record high for the area.

Almost 40% of the 23,377 people relying on Universal Credit in Havering and 38% of the 33,005 in Redbridge are in work, according to the latest Government figures. Low wages and insecure hours contribute to many being forced to claim Universal Credit to make ends meet.

Londonwide Assembly Member said the Government must take action on the causes of low pay, including the prevalence of insecure work and poor workers' rights. As well as the Government reducing the right to strike through minimum service legislation, Ms Baker criticised them for doing nothing to address zero-hour contracts and for engaging in protracted industrial disputes rather than paying public sector workers properly.

Low pay has contributed to the million Londoners who claim Universal Credit and that over half (51%) of working-age Londoners living in poverty are already in work.

On top of this, Ms Baker has criticised the Government’s mismanagement of the NHS, leaving 2.6 million people across the country out of work because of long-term sickness rather than giving them the care that could help the many who want to return to work.

Universal Credit has also failed to keep up with rising costs, meaning that thousands of people in Havering and Redbridge have not been able to buy basic goods. 90% of low-income households on Universal Credit are currently going without essentials, according to data from the Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rountree Foundation. Claimants are going without food, hygiene products or basic utilities due to Universal Credit not covering the basic costs of living.

Elly Baker, Londonwide Labour Assembly Member said:

“It is a travesty that so many Londoners are forced to claim Universal Credit by low pay and Government mismanagement of the economy.

“Ministers insist that getting people into work is the key to eliminating poverty but their own figures show that many claimants are already in work. Instead of finding work that pays, many of these people have been cheated out of good jobs by a Government intent on doing nothing to raise wages.

“On top of this, the Government has abandoned those out of work due to long term sickness, leaving them languishing on waiting lists rather than properly supporting the NHS to give them the care they need.

“City Hall has been leading the way to lift Londoners out of poverty, extending the free school meals scheme for a second year to save families more than £1000 for each child. Now the Government must play their part by improving workers’ conditions and sorting out the NHS that so many Londoners rely on.”