The Welsh Tenants Federation believes that prevention is less costly than cure, commenting on the recent announcement of a cash boost for debt Consumer Credit Counseling Services CCCS Welsh Tenants Federation Chair Gail Mcfee said that extra resources into prevention has to be a positive step in these difficult times for everyone facing eviction. Whether that’s rent or mortgage arrears – the more help people can get before they are threatened with eviction the better.
Her views came as the Welsh Assembly Government announced a £58,000 cash boost to CCCS which offers advice to people facing repossession or eviction. The Housing Debt helpline provides free telephone based counseling to anyone at risk of losing their home, helping them find long term solutions to their problems.
Commenting on the additional funding that the helpline will receive in 2010-2011, Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant said: “The Housing Debt helpline can play a key role in keeping people in their homes during the current economic climate. Advisers have the knowledge to offer expert advice and this funding will ensure the service continues to help people keep a roof over their head and address their debt problems.”
Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration Jocelyn Davies AM said:
“As we continue to help Wales out of recession it is important that we keep this vital helpline service open to people to tackle debt and prevent families from losing their homes. It is vital that people know that this help and advice will continue to be made available to help them in times of need. I would encourage anybody with debt problems to get in touch with this service as early as possible to get advice that is free and confidential.”
The helpline is run by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) whose advisers are trained professionals in the field of debt advice and money management. Since its launch in 2009, the service has helped 61% of its customers retain their homes.
To contact the Housing Debt Helpline, call 0800 107 1340 or visit the Housing Debt Helpline website.
Further information about the Welsh Tenants Federation can be obtained by contacting the national office or by exploring our web site.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
National Housing Strategy for Wales
The Welsh Tenants Federation are pleased to see that the Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration launched the national housing strategy for Wales. When launching the strategy she said: “The strategy provides us with an opportunity to build on what we have already achieved and to do even more together to help people to improve their lives. “Housing is so much more than bricks and mortar. Investment in Housing brings with it benefits for the economy, for jobs and training opportunities, for people’s health and well being, and for the environment. It also helps tackle poverty and inequalities and opens up new opportunities for people.“
Gail McFee chair of the Welsh Tenants Federation speaking to WTF volunteers reiterated the importance of a strategy that responds to the needs of Wales. She said we hope to see further powers devolved to Wales to ensure the strategy can be delivered. We are also pleased to see that real progress is being made towards meeting our aspiration that every tenant is able to live in a decent quality and affordable home and that real choice becomes a reality, not just choice of where you live, but how tenants can help shape the services available to them.
Details about the strategy and a downloaded copy can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/?lang=en or request a copy from the Welsh Tenants Federation.
Gail McFee chair of the Welsh Tenants Federation speaking to WTF volunteers reiterated the importance of a strategy that responds to the needs of Wales. She said we hope to see further powers devolved to Wales to ensure the strategy can be delivered. We are also pleased to see that real progress is being made towards meeting our aspiration that every tenant is able to live in a decent quality and affordable home and that real choice becomes a reality, not just choice of where you live, but how tenants can help shape the services available to them.
Details about the strategy and a downloaded copy can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/?lang=en or request a copy from the Welsh Tenants Federation.
Friday, April 23, 2010
LCO fails to get support
I wish to draw your attention to the following statement regarding the Legislative Competency Order sought by the National Assembly for Wales and housing partners.
Disappointment at the failure to transfer housing powers
The National Assembly for Wales set out proposals concerning the transfer of legislative powers via the Legislative Order Process (LCO) in the key areas of tenancy issues, housing related support, homelessness, regulation of social landlords, gypsy and travellers, empty homes and council tax for second homes.
The Welsh Tenants Federation supported the LCO as indeed many other housing organisations in Wales, and gave evidence during its development phases. However, it appears that the powers will not now proceed to legislation. The problem is that there is a wash-up period in which consensus on legislation that needs to be passed before parliament shuts down at the end of the term of office, the rush to support particular pieces of legislation in the remaining timescale is therefore crucial as government prioritises what it wants to see passed and negotiates with opposition parties to ensure the bills get through without hindrance. The consequence is a process known as wash-up, which will see remaining legislation bartered over.
For our members here in Wales it’s confusing, while many of our members wish to see housing legislation developed in Wales based on issues raised here in Wales, why on the one hand political parties support the principle of devolving powers and on the other, vote against powers when consensus has been reached here.
Many of our members are also rightly confused that a piece of legislation which received majority support in the National Assembly for Wales could then be stalled by those who oppose it when it reaches Westminster. Given the range of organisations that supported the transfer of powers, it does not inspire confidence in the co-production approach to resolving Wales’s housing issues, or in the LCO as a process.
The problem would appear to be that the LCO is not al a carte, it has to be accepted in its entirety or not at all, and opposition to one part, effectively gives a veto to the whole order. In this regard we are also critical of the Labour party who while being aware of the issue here in Wales did not do more to ensure that a piece of legislation which received majority consensus in the National Assembly for Wales was not prioritised in Westminster. Cynics among us suggest that the legislation has been used is as a battering tool to achieve support post the general election should either party not have a majority and require the support of for example Plaid Cymru.
For our part, we are hopeful that the co-production approach to the development of housing responses here in Wales will not be knocked back by a consequence of this flawed process, and that our politicians seek to remedy this situation in the future.
The Welsh Tenants Federation is the representative voice for tenants in Wales. Further information can be found by visiting www.welshtenantsfed.org.uk Further information about this press release can be obtained by contacting the Welsh Tenants Federation on 01685 723922.
Disappointment at the failure to transfer housing powers
The National Assembly for Wales set out proposals concerning the transfer of legislative powers via the Legislative Order Process (LCO) in the key areas of tenancy issues, housing related support, homelessness, regulation of social landlords, gypsy and travellers, empty homes and council tax for second homes.
The Welsh Tenants Federation supported the LCO as indeed many other housing organisations in Wales, and gave evidence during its development phases. However, it appears that the powers will not now proceed to legislation. The problem is that there is a wash-up period in which consensus on legislation that needs to be passed before parliament shuts down at the end of the term of office, the rush to support particular pieces of legislation in the remaining timescale is therefore crucial as government prioritises what it wants to see passed and negotiates with opposition parties to ensure the bills get through without hindrance. The consequence is a process known as wash-up, which will see remaining legislation bartered over.
For our members here in Wales it’s confusing, while many of our members wish to see housing legislation developed in Wales based on issues raised here in Wales, why on the one hand political parties support the principle of devolving powers and on the other, vote against powers when consensus has been reached here.
Many of our members are also rightly confused that a piece of legislation which received majority support in the National Assembly for Wales could then be stalled by those who oppose it when it reaches Westminster. Given the range of organisations that supported the transfer of powers, it does not inspire confidence in the co-production approach to resolving Wales’s housing issues, or in the LCO as a process.
The problem would appear to be that the LCO is not al a carte, it has to be accepted in its entirety or not at all, and opposition to one part, effectively gives a veto to the whole order. In this regard we are also critical of the Labour party who while being aware of the issue here in Wales did not do more to ensure that a piece of legislation which received majority consensus in the National Assembly for Wales was not prioritised in Westminster. Cynics among us suggest that the legislation has been used is as a battering tool to achieve support post the general election should either party not have a majority and require the support of for example Plaid Cymru.
For our part, we are hopeful that the co-production approach to the development of housing responses here in Wales will not be knocked back by a consequence of this flawed process, and that our politicians seek to remedy this situation in the future.
The Welsh Tenants Federation is the representative voice for tenants in Wales. Further information can be found by visiting www.welshtenantsfed.org.uk Further information about this press release can be obtained by contacting the Welsh Tenants Federation on 01685 723922.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Legislative Competency Orders
The National Assembly for Wales debated the Housing and Local Government LCO 2010. The measures being introduced relate to legislation on a range of housing policy matters. The National Assembly debate on the LCO can be found here. http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/wales/newsid_8533000/8533807.stm
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Wales emerging from the recession - But will some tenants in Wales see the benefits?
We welcome the announcement today that Britain is officially (at least technically) out of recession. Although the growth is slight at just 0.1% over the last quarter of 2009 the news means that we are slowly emerging from one of the deepest recessions since the war (Treasury office). Although this is a technical issue for the economy anoraks, many in Wales see the recent announcements at Bosch, with 900 jobs potentially lost as akin to an impact wave yet to have truly reached our shores. With companies beginning to assess the damage to their sales, no doubt there will be more such news stories in future months.
The news follows on from figures produced by the Citizen Advice Bureau who reported that since the recession began in April 08 through to September 09, there has been 3million debt enquires with 630,000 housing related cases (CAB press office 2010). Measures taken by the housing and housing related support sector in Wales has meant that people are able to access better housing and housing related debt management advice however, this does not resolve what will be longer term impacts.
At the Welsh Tenants Federation demand for information and advice has been extensive with tenants requesting more information from representatives about how they can access advice in their communities, with a call for better outreach support.
By far the biggest concern as expressed by a sample of regional members across Wales is pensioner poverty with 73% elderly people reporting tougher times with a reported mismatch between rent and cost of living rises and pension rises.
Drilling into these figures rents, service charges and fuel poverty are the three biggest issues that pensioners are concerned about. Among other profiles, job security and general pressures on family budgets are also areas of concern. Nationally this mirrors concerns expressed by pensioners and fuel poverty campaign groups. One pensioner from North Wales said that ‘We need a better deal for pensioners in Wales, one which rewards those who have planned reasonably well for retirement’ He added, ‘People just have to adjust their aspirations for engaging in the consumer merry-go-round, and get back to models of thrift and financial responsibility. There needs to be greater emphasis on making do, recycling, taking better care of what we have, as we did in more austere times, we just have to adjust our expectations’.
In the latter end of 2009 tenants attending regional ATTAIN events said that the government has to legislate on issues such as social tariffs for fuel and work better to end child poverty. The report ‘Adjusting our expectations, in a consumer driven society’ 2010 will be available from the Welsh Tenants Federation shortly.
The news follows on from figures produced by the Citizen Advice Bureau who reported that since the recession began in April 08 through to September 09, there has been 3million debt enquires with 630,000 housing related cases (CAB press office 2010). Measures taken by the housing and housing related support sector in Wales has meant that people are able to access better housing and housing related debt management advice however, this does not resolve what will be longer term impacts.
At the Welsh Tenants Federation demand for information and advice has been extensive with tenants requesting more information from representatives about how they can access advice in their communities, with a call for better outreach support.
By far the biggest concern as expressed by a sample of regional members across Wales is pensioner poverty with 73% elderly people reporting tougher times with a reported mismatch between rent and cost of living rises and pension rises.
Drilling into these figures rents, service charges and fuel poverty are the three biggest issues that pensioners are concerned about. Among other profiles, job security and general pressures on family budgets are also areas of concern. Nationally this mirrors concerns expressed by pensioners and fuel poverty campaign groups. One pensioner from North Wales said that ‘We need a better deal for pensioners in Wales, one which rewards those who have planned reasonably well for retirement’ He added, ‘People just have to adjust their aspirations for engaging in the consumer merry-go-round, and get back to models of thrift and financial responsibility. There needs to be greater emphasis on making do, recycling, taking better care of what we have, as we did in more austere times, we just have to adjust our expectations’.
In the latter end of 2009 tenants attending regional ATTAIN events said that the government has to legislate on issues such as social tariffs for fuel and work better to end child poverty. The report ‘Adjusting our expectations, in a consumer driven society’ 2010 will be available from the Welsh Tenants Federation shortly.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Legislative Competency Order for Housing
For people who are not aware, there are currently two ways that Wales can seek legislative powers. Both are via Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. The first is by the inclusion of provisions in UK Parliamentary Bills (referred to as framework powers) by the UK Government.
The second is via a Legislative Competency Order (LCO). This is a piece of constitutional legislation in the form of an order in council that transfers legislative authority from the UK parliament to National Assembly for Wales. Each LCO adds a ‘Matter’ to one of the ‘Fields’ stated in Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. This is the list of areas in which the National Assembly for Wales may legislate. One of these ‘Fields’ is housing matters.
The LCO must be approved by the National Assembly for Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales, both houses of Parliament and then the Queen in Council. Each Matter then gives the Welsh Assembly Government permission to pass legislation known as an Assembly Measure, which operates in Wales just as an Act of Parliament operates across the UK.
The text that comes with the LCO contains the actual title of the legislation (Measure). An Assembly Measure allows provisions to be made in certain areas e.g. Housing, Health, Social Services etc.
Allies of aspiration – A new broad ranging LCO for housing in Wales
The National Assembly for Wales has set out proposals concerning the transfer of legislative powers in the key areas of tenancy issues, housing related support, homelessness, regulation of social landlords, gypsy and travellers, empty homes and council tax for second homes.
The Welsh Tenants Federation welcomes the LCO which aims to give powers to the National Assembly for Wales to deliver on key priorities as outlined in the One Wales agreement and the linked strategies concerning National Housing, homeless and supporting people priorities. It will also address outcomes from the wide ranging Essex review on affordable housing. To the lay person, no one in their right mind would contemplate starting a job without ensuring they have the appropriate tools to complete the work to a good standard, so it makes sense to seek these legislative tools to deliver on the housing sectors collaborative aspirations.
Speaking on the ‘measures’ being sought, policy officer Steve Clarke said ‘We are particularly pleased that the National Assembly for Wales is seeking the transfer of powers in respect of ‘tenancy matters’. We look forward to the debates concerning the potential to equalise rights across the housing sector ending the disparity that exists between different providers and potentially widening choice and delivering on social mobility objectives.
However there are difficulties when trying to introduce instituitional change when full law making powers are not available. There is also an opportunity to address equality issues regarding co-habiting couples and women in domestic violence cases, expanding on some of the good practice that already exists. There are always risks when you open these issues up for change, therefore the tenant community needs to ensure that their aspirations are being considered as we embark on this journey. Collectively agreeing on a suite of rights and responsibilities, will also mean examining how they are enforced while providing tenants with the means by which their consumer rights are protected.
We are also pleased to see wider intervention powers by the Welsh Assembly Government as the regulator of social housing as recommended under the Sustainable Homes report published in July 08.
There are several other measures contained in the LCO concerning delivery approaches to homeless prevention and supporting people which we broadly welcome and look forward to the opportunity to consider them in depth as the measures are considered and developed by the scrutiny committees should the proposals seek wide ranging support from a majority in the assembly.
Clearly there is a journey to be travelled before the National Assembly for Wales achieves the legislative programme required to preserve and protect our valuable social housing assets and the people that occupy them. We have allies of aspiration within the housing sector, what we need now, is for that aspiration to find collective support to ensure delivery.
The second is via a Legislative Competency Order (LCO). This is a piece of constitutional legislation in the form of an order in council that transfers legislative authority from the UK parliament to National Assembly for Wales. Each LCO adds a ‘Matter’ to one of the ‘Fields’ stated in Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. This is the list of areas in which the National Assembly for Wales may legislate. One of these ‘Fields’ is housing matters.
The LCO must be approved by the National Assembly for Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales, both houses of Parliament and then the Queen in Council. Each Matter then gives the Welsh Assembly Government permission to pass legislation known as an Assembly Measure, which operates in Wales just as an Act of Parliament operates across the UK.
The text that comes with the LCO contains the actual title of the legislation (Measure). An Assembly Measure allows provisions to be made in certain areas e.g. Housing, Health, Social Services etc.
Allies of aspiration – A new broad ranging LCO for housing in Wales
The National Assembly for Wales has set out proposals concerning the transfer of legislative powers in the key areas of tenancy issues, housing related support, homelessness, regulation of social landlords, gypsy and travellers, empty homes and council tax for second homes.
The Welsh Tenants Federation welcomes the LCO which aims to give powers to the National Assembly for Wales to deliver on key priorities as outlined in the One Wales agreement and the linked strategies concerning National Housing, homeless and supporting people priorities. It will also address outcomes from the wide ranging Essex review on affordable housing. To the lay person, no one in their right mind would contemplate starting a job without ensuring they have the appropriate tools to complete the work to a good standard, so it makes sense to seek these legislative tools to deliver on the housing sectors collaborative aspirations.
Speaking on the ‘measures’ being sought, policy officer Steve Clarke said ‘We are particularly pleased that the National Assembly for Wales is seeking the transfer of powers in respect of ‘tenancy matters’. We look forward to the debates concerning the potential to equalise rights across the housing sector ending the disparity that exists between different providers and potentially widening choice and delivering on social mobility objectives.
However there are difficulties when trying to introduce instituitional change when full law making powers are not available. There is also an opportunity to address equality issues regarding co-habiting couples and women in domestic violence cases, expanding on some of the good practice that already exists. There are always risks when you open these issues up for change, therefore the tenant community needs to ensure that their aspirations are being considered as we embark on this journey. Collectively agreeing on a suite of rights and responsibilities, will also mean examining how they are enforced while providing tenants with the means by which their consumer rights are protected.
We are also pleased to see wider intervention powers by the Welsh Assembly Government as the regulator of social housing as recommended under the Sustainable Homes report published in July 08.
There are several other measures contained in the LCO concerning delivery approaches to homeless prevention and supporting people which we broadly welcome and look forward to the opportunity to consider them in depth as the measures are considered and developed by the scrutiny committees should the proposals seek wide ranging support from a majority in the assembly.
Clearly there is a journey to be travelled before the National Assembly for Wales achieves the legislative programme required to preserve and protect our valuable social housing assets and the people that occupy them. We have allies of aspiration within the housing sector, what we need now, is for that aspiration to find collective support to ensure delivery.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Overpayment of recovery
Following a case brought by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) the court of appeal has ruled that the secretary of state for work and pensions cannot recover overpayments of social security benefits through the courts where the claimant is not at fault.
In social security law, the test for when the DWP can recover overpayments of relevant benefits is set out in section 71 Social Security Administration Act.. The test in s71 broadly allows for recovery where the claimant has misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact. Importantly the claimant has a right to appeal to a tribunal against a decision that an overpayment is recoverable under this test. If the overpayment is found to be recoverable under this test there are a number of ways the DWP can recover it including through deductions from current or future benefit payments.The government had written to 65,000 claimants asking them to repay overpaid benefits.
It is not sure whether people who have already paid back overpayments would be able to claim them back. Further information can be found at http://www.cpag.org.uk/welfarerights/overpayment-recovery/
In social security law, the test for when the DWP can recover overpayments of relevant benefits is set out in section 71 Social Security Administration Act.. The test in s71 broadly allows for recovery where the claimant has misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact. Importantly the claimant has a right to appeal to a tribunal against a decision that an overpayment is recoverable under this test. If the overpayment is found to be recoverable under this test there are a number of ways the DWP can recover it including through deductions from current or future benefit payments.The government had written to 65,000 claimants asking them to repay overpaid benefits.
It is not sure whether people who have already paid back overpayments would be able to claim them back. Further information can be found at http://www.cpag.org.uk/welfarerights/overpayment-recovery/
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