New figures from the BBC’s Panorama programme have revealed that tenants claiming Universal Credit have more than double the rent arrears of those who have yet to move to the new benefit system.
A survey of Universal Credit claimants in every local authority area where the changes have been implemented shows they owe their landlords £662.56 on average, compared with £262.50 for those on traditional housing benefits. The figures also indicate that evictions have risen by 55% in just one year in areas when Universal Credit has been implemented.