Jay Daisi, Revenue & Benefits Service Development
Officer, explained that part of his role was to implement the major
changes to benefits that were imminent. He made the following
points:
- About 4,000 people in
the Camberwell Community Council area will be affected by at least
one of the changes. The benefit changes would commence some time
between July and September 2013.
- There have been some
changes in the so called “bedroom tax”. It would take
into account the physical disability of children in a family. Armed
forces personnel would also be exempt from the changes being
made.
- The introduction of
personal independence payments had been moved back and so would
affect Southwark residents until 2014.
- Southwark had
introduced council tax support and this would add around 5% to the
overall council tax bill. Everyone affected by the changes had been
written to and the council was looking at ways to help those
affected. A lot of work was being done with the housing department
to minimise the impact on people.
- Southwark had also
been working with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) in
educating residents around budgetary matters, including payday
loans and the risks of high interest payments. The aim of this
project was to develop 250 community champions. The CAB would train
them to give advice in the community. More information was
available at: www.southwarkadvice.org.uk
In response to residents’
questions, Jay gave the following responses:
- The council was
working with people struggling to pay their bills and would offer
advice to them on how best to meet their outgoings.