Decision details

Debate on Direct Payments of Housing Costs to Tenants in Wales

Decision Maker: Plenary - Fourth Assembly

Status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Decision:

The item started at 15.40

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5315 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the UK Government's continuing plans to introduce direct payments;

2. Calls again on the UK Government to change its policy on direct payments to reflect the likely negative impact on many tenants, as well the risk to the financial viability of housing organisations; and

3. Commends work by housing and other organisations to help people to cope with the changes.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

In point 1, delete all after ‘plans’ and replace with:

‘to standardise direct payments introduced by the previous UK Labour Government’

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

33

50

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert at the end of point 1:

‘which offer the potential to empower people through greater control over their finances and provide a clearer route into work and independence.’

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

34

51

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Welcomes the ‘Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework’, issued by the UK Government and compiled jointly with agencies including the Welsh Local Government Association, which lists the support available to claimants needing payment of housing costs directly to landlords.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

33

50

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the UK Government to carefully examine the full findings of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects which will conclude at the end of December 2013.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

34

51

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment  5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Believes that direct payments could lead to more evictions, resulting in additional costs to evict and re-house individuals, and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and housing associations to implement best practice on avoiding evictions.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

12

5

51

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities, credit unions and housing associations to consider the best ways to make financial products with built-in budgeting features more widely available and to promote the use of money advice services to tenants, in order to help those affected by direct payments.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

51

0

0

51

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5315 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the UK Government's continuing plans to introduce direct payments;

2. Calls again on the UK Government to change its policy on direct payments to reflect the likely negative impact on many tenants, as well the risk to the financial viability of housing organisations; and

3. Commends work by housing and other organisations to help people to cope with the changes.

4. Believes that direct payments could lead to more evictions, resulting in additional costs to evict and re-house individuals, and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and housing associations to implement best practice on avoiding evictions.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities, credit unions and housing associations to consider the best ways to make financial products with built-in budgeting features more widely available and to promote the use of money advice services to tenants, in order to help those affected by direct payments.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

0

17

51

The motion as amended was agreed.

Publication date: 08/10/2013

Date of decision: 08/10/2013

Decided at meeting: 08/10/2013 - Plenary - Fourth Assembly