We the undersigned wish to express our profound disquiet at the roll-out of digital Universal Credit (UC). The Government’s plans will continue to replace all means-tested social security benefits and tax credits for those of working age, across Greater Manchester and beyond. We believe that we should not stand for such wilful ignorance of the impacts of the new system. We urge individuals, groups, organisations, MPs, councillors, landlords and housing associations to stand in solidarity against the Universal Credit roll-out. Signed and shared by: Greater Manchester Law Centre, GM Poverty Action, Big Issue North, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett, Salford Council Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Team, Salford Star, People's Plan GM, Coffee 4 Craig, St Mungo's Unite, Kill the Housing Bill, Cllr Gary Bridges, Cllr Bev Craig, Cllr Basat Sheik, Cllr Richard Leese, Council Labour Group, Manchester Shield, Withington Lib Dems. As this catastrophe unfolds the shortcomings and blind spots of UC have increasingly become clear. The following are the six issues, faced by individuals and families, which concern us most: 1. People are experiencing waits of six to twelve weeks (sometimes longer) for their first payment of Universal Credit. Consequently, people are spiraling into debt and rent arrears which they may find it impossible to recover from. 2. Universal Credit claims can only be processed online through a system called verify which cannot be completed without requisite ID or computer access. Some of the most vulnerable people, such as those who are disabled, precariously housed, homeless or non-UK citizens, find it extremely difficult to claim. This both lengthens the waiting period for first payments and makes it difficult for individuals to maintain their claims, putting them at risk of sanctions. 3. Sanctions are being applied erratically and arbitrarily in relation to UC. There is mounting evidence highlighting unfair use of sanctions, for example individuals have received them for being at work and missing their work focused interview. Full service roll-out will also bring housing benefit into the realm of sanctions, directly increasing the risk of evictions and homelessness. 4. Under UC many will see a reduction in their financial entitlement and will be living off substantially less money. In some cases individuals will be around £100-£300 less well off per month than on previous legacy benefits like Employment and Support Allowance and Severe Disability Premium . Disabled people and those with debilitating heath conditions will be pushed further into poverty as a result. 5. Young People aged 18-25 will be disproportionately affected by UC, . For example, those aged between 18-21 will not be entitled to housing benefit under UC unless in an exempt category. The exemptions will not cover thousands of at risk young people, resulting in mounting debt and homelessness. 6. Evidence suggests that UC is pushing more children and families into poverty. Unjust elements of UC like the two child limit do not support working or non-working families. Direct links to welfare reform, specifically UC are causing professionals to highlight the risk of more children going into care and families becoming homeless. We call on the Government to halt the roll-out while all of the problems are reviewed, to avoid creating unnecessary suffering. Universal Credit, if rolled out in its current form, is a Universal Catastrophe that will place an unsustainable burden on the finances of local authorities, charitable organisations and support services who will ultimately be left to pick up the pieces.

Changing SMI from being a benefit to a loan will mean that yet again many of our vulnerable people will end up further into debt. Also the fact that this has been done relatively on the quiet is another example of this governments rough shod ways of dealing with the most vulnerable people within our society.

Aldershot has never seen as many rough sleepers as it has in the last few years. For some years now a Winter shelter was provided by the council and this year apparently they cannot afford it! Street homeless people die in extreme weather . Doing nothing means the council believe it’s the problem of those who find themselves homeless, whereas truth be known it’s society’s problem. These individuals often have very complex issues- mental health and addictions etc, they are very vulnerable and need a lot of input. We cannot just cast people aside like rubbish because they don’t ‘fit’ in our community in our opinion.

Richard had a riding accident which left him in a wheelchair with spinal injuries 4 and a half years ago. He has to leave his BCC tenancy farm where he has lived for 46 years as his father has died and he was not allowed to take over the tenancy. He has unpredictable weakness in all limbs and needs 3 people to do any physio safely. He was only given 1 hour of physio every 4 weeks by the NHS and needed amulance transport to get to SMH for it so it was cancelled after a few weeks as he was too tired by the time he got there for it to be worthwile. So his friends and family who all live in North Marston or within 5 miles have set up a rota and each evening we get him out of his chair and walk a few steps and do physio on his hands which are like claws if physio is missed for a few days. Richard has suffered from sever depression since the accident and this bit of respite and regular visits has given him a new lease of life. He is in an electric wheelchair so cannot use public transport. His two small sons also live within North Marston and he loves to go in is wheelchair to school and see them... all this will be denied if he gets moved out o the vilage. He has a live in carer due to his dependency and cannot move himself or take care of any basic needs without her help. There is a VAHT property in North Marston tht has been empty for 9 months. It needs some adaptions but as I understand it grants are available It doesn't currently have a wet room but nor does his current property as he was refused a grant to adapt it by BCC.

Many people on part-time or zero-hours contracts have ongoing problems getting paid their full entitlement of housing benefit and end up in rent arrears. This is what happened to Clavia Chambers who was evicted by Lambeth Council last month with her two young children and is still fighting to have this decision overturned (http://housingactivists.co.uk/protest/clavias-case-shows-how-anyone-can-become-homeless ) All unemployed, disabled and low paid workers are currently being moved onto Universal Credit. The chronic delays, cuts, and mismanagement of claims in this new system is going to make this situation even worse. There has been an explosive rise in rent arrears among universal credit claimants. There is a real danger of spiralling numbers of evictions and more social cleansing in Lambeth because the council currently classifies people evicted for rent arrears as 'intentionally homeless' and refuses to rehouse them. Lambeth council should not be evicting people who fall foul of the brutal and complicated benefits system. They should be supporting tenants to appeal unjust benefit decisions and they should use their powers to make discretionary housing benefit payments to prevent people in private rented homes becoming homeless too.

This is important because it is a growing issue in the local area and needs to be recognised. Every week there are more homeless people on the streets in the cold and rain with no where to go. This has a huge impact on their mental health, general health. This shelter would give homeless people a place to sleep for the night out of the harsh winter weather.

Full: Students living with mental, and/or physical, disabilities have certain needs which requires suitable accommodation. For example, a student suffering with ASD who is unable to complete day-to-day tasks will often be provided with ensuite accommodation in a smaller flat. DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) used to ensure that disabled students would not pay more for their accommodation due to their needs. However, for the past few years this responsibility has been passed over to universities. For the past 3-4 months I have been contacting the University of East Anglia (almost twice a week) in order to confirm that my peers and I will receive an accommodation discount as we have before. They have been reluctant to answer, and it is clear that nobody is responsible for ensuring that disabled students are not discriminated against. These discounts vary, but can reach sums over £1200. It's simply not fair to charge disabled students extra due to their disabilities. The first representative of UEA I spoke to informed me that it was unlikely the discounts would go ahead this year. This is clearly in breach of the Equalities Act 2010, and I am truly worried that the Conservative government has failed to protect disabled students as this problem is not occurring just at UEA. Most recently the University of East Anglia has informed me that students with disabilities will be offered accommodation in the Village, and the sole reason for this is because of its price it seems. Despite being situated far from central campus, and not being able to meet the needs of those with physical and/or mental disabilities the University views this as the best option. I was offered accommodation which suits my needs within the main campus, but now I'm being told that in order to receive a fair discount I will have to move to a room which may not be adequate. They can't guarantee perfection, but they could act in the interests of students. If students remain in the suitable rooms, they will not receive a fair discount. I'm calling on the government to impose a frameworl upon universities. Universities have been acting with discretion, and have failed to advertise that discounts are available. Reducing expenditure seems to be at the forefront of university policy, as opposed to supporting students and facilitating their learning. There needs to be clear guidelines for all universities to adhere to. I will be sending this petition to the Minister for Universities, the Education Secretary, Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Vice-Chancellor of UEA, and the Director of Student Services at UEA.

Homelessness causes suffering, fear desperation and can also lead to long term physical and mental health problems

We are a registered charity. We have converted a bus to accomodate rough sleepers in Weymouth. We have fundraised ourselves and will continue to do so to ensure the running of the bus. We have skilled, experienced and trained volunteers to run the bus. We have the support of the Police and many other local outreach and recovery services. All we need is somewhere to park! Weymouth and Portland borough Council have been unwilling to support us in finding a suitable location through Management committee, so we are presenting it to Full Council.  Please visit www.facebook.com/thebusshelterdorset www.twitter.com/thebusshelterdt to see our journey and keep up to date with news

This is important for multiple reasons, I own around 62 species of cockroaches that as a lot of you know, range in size, shape, colour and character. Bron afon want me to get rid of them all but I want to suggest that I get rid of 9 species that could pose issues. I keep, photograph, study and educate others on these amazing animals, it's my hobby and hopefully a future business, I don't drink, smoke or take drugs, I barely socialise because of my mental issues......so they think getting rid of it all is a good idea. I originally made one mistake, a few P.australasea escaped and got into a neighboring house, Bron afon have done nothing to help, we need a lot of repairs and work done on our house in general because of their neglect, we have compromised and complied all the way through but they haven't even at least kept us up to date and are even threatening to throw us out, make your own minds up on this but please sign to show I'm not just some weird shut in, idiot that they assume I am.

This is important because even in the 21st century some seem to see affordable housing as a privilege rather than a right. Their have been attempts by a minority of local residents to paint potential tenants as, and I quote "young, single unemployed drug users" which is not only an awful statement to make but grossly untrue. The aim of this petition is to show that the vocal minority are just that - a minority. Affordable housing should be a right, everyone no matter the status should have a roof over their heads and this development address a very critical need in Ulverston - their simply isn't enough social housing.

The issue of homelessness has escalated locally, with an estimated 61, people sleeping rough locally as of October 2016 (roughly 20% of the total estimated rough sleepers in Wales). As a result of the inadequate services available some people have set up an encampment in the grounds of the former Groves school, a listed building. This building is close to residential housing and the camp is of concern to local people who fear that hygiene and safety practices are compromised. The individuals living on the site and elsewhere in Wrexham are in desperate need of a long term solution. In the short term there needs to be regular emptying of the skip and portaloo that the council have provided and access to the site in the event of an emergency. There are many groups and individuals in the area taking an interest in this issue and it is only fair that they are all able to hear the council's response to these issues in the interest of openess and transparency as should be expected from our elected representatives.