Three-quarters of Doncaster residents on Universal Credit are behind on their rent, new figures show

Figures provided by St Leger Homes show there are now 4,441 Universal Credit claimants and 3,305 (75 per cent) are in rent arrears.

Data also shows debts owed to the council has risen by nearly £500,000 in 12 months up from £1.1 million to just shy of £1.6 million.

Doncaster’s directly-elected mayor made the comments at a cabinet meeting, when discussing the quarterly performance of St Leger Homes.

Major Jones said: “When you see the figures that 76 per cent of people are in rent arrears, it actually demonstrates that Universal Credit is not working and it is wrong when people are put in that position.

“We will continue to do all we can to assist our residents and the sterling work that is being done by St Leger Homes to help sustain tenancies cannot be overlooked.

“Our thanks have got to go to those staff and I’m sure many of the tenants would also like to say their thanks for giving them the assistance they require.”

Support services are on hand to work with residents who fall into arrears but reports show up to 50 people a week are currently being rolled onto Universal Credit in Doncaster.

The policy, introduced in 2011, was first rolled out to try and simplify the benefits system and to incentivise paid work.

It combined six means-tested social security payments into one lump sum. But the policy has been heavily criticised with people waiting more than five weeks for money.

The system also means the housing benefit section of Universal Credit is now not paid directly to the council.

St Leger Homes, which manage the borough’s entire council house stock on behalf of DMBC, have staff working with residents to manage their debt through their Tenancy Sustainability Service and have helped over 2,000 people struggling with arrears.

Figures shows nearly a third of residents on UC have a alternative payment payment plan through the service.