Industry bodies call to extend Universal Credit disregard to renters

‘Building Financial Resilience of Households in the Private Rented Sector’

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and Building Resilient Households Group release report

The financial resilience of individuals in private rented accommodation could be improved by allowing them the same disregard for income protection (IP) and family income benefit (FIB) applied to Universal Credit (UC) to mortgage payments, a new report has shown.

In the research, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) explains that while income protection offers financial security against unexpected illnesses and accidents, there lies "a problematic interaction" with the current state benefits system.

According to Building Resilient Households Group (BRHG), renters are more likely to suffer financial hardship as a result of Covid-19. It added that more than a third (37%) of those who have claimed UC since the start of the pandemic have been unable to cover their housing costs in full or in part, despite the Govt having temporarily increased Local Housing Allowances Rates (LHAs) included in UC for renters.

Based on cost-analysis research by Hymans Robertson, the ‘Building Financial Resilience of Households in the Private Rented Sector' report aims to describe the problem and provide a solution. The BRHG said: "it explores the case for amending UC rules on payouts from such policies, enabling renters to benefit from insurance payouts - something which owner-occupiers are already able to do."

Richard Purcell, insurance innovation lead at Hymans Robertson said: "Our analysis looked at the costs to government of extending the disregard in the Universal Credit system (that is currently applied to IP and FIB payments for mortgage related housing costs only), to cover all housing costs, including rent. We considered both the direct cost to government of extending the current disregard, as well as some expected indirect savings. This includes the anticipated reduction in government spending on temporary accommodation and preventative action, due to fewer renters going into arrears following a financial shock. We also factored in reduced reliance on Universal Credit, as the changes are expected to drive an increase in take-up of IP amongst renters in general. Looking over the next five years we estimated these changes could lead to a net saving for government of around £151m."

According to the report, the majority of households aged under 35 are renting and a fifth of British households now live in privately rented accommodation.

Read the full report

More on Regulation

Most firms unable to meet bereavement claims performance levels: FCA

Most firms unable to meet bereavement claims performance levels: FCA

Call for improved bereavement handling times

Cameron Roberts
clock 22 November 2024 • 3 min read
Record-high receipts for IPT and employer NICs

Record-high receipts for IPT and employer NICs

HMRC data

Cameron Roberts
clock 21 November 2024 • 2 min read
Chancellor targets FOS modernisation and FCA consultation

Chancellor targets FOS modernisation and FCA consultation

Consultation part of the advice guidance boundary review

Isabel Baxter
clock 15 November 2024 • 3 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read