Universal Credit (UC) is the new ‘all in one benefit’ introduced by the UK Government's Department of Work and Pensions and is made up of Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credits.

If anyone claims one of more of these benefits they will be in receipt of Universal Credit and on top of rolling the six benefits/tax credits into one this money will now be paid to those claiming them monthly, not fortnightly as is the case currently.

Universal Credit (UC) has been piloted in Wales with lots of financial problems arising for claimants, including rent areas and lack of money for weekly food shopping.

Universal Credit is being rolled out across Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council area in the coming weeks and will have an impact on those currently claiming any of those tax credits or benefits and your business in the following ways.

Slowing of Demand

It won’t affect all business, but it will be one of the issues facing you in the run up to Christmas and into the New Year. Many of Pontypridd's shoppers, workers and residents will be affected by the roll out, Universal Credit claims across the UK have a long back log and take up to twelve weeks to be processed and during the pilot schemes run in Wales, people in Rhondda Cynon Taf could well be forced to rely on emergency loans, good will of family and friends and use of foodbanks to help them get through the difficult period until the claims are approved.

It’s worth thinking about any additional deals, offers, promotions and discounts that you could put in place in the run up to Christmas to encourage people to spend, the BID as always is happy to promote them via our website and social media to the public.

Possible Increase in Shoplifting and Thefts

As part of your usual preparation for Christmas its worth making your staff aware of the roll out of Universal Credit in Rhondda Cynon Taf in the coming weeks and month and raising awareness of the additional issues this raises for you, your staff and your stores.

Increase in Foodbank Use

Another big issue in the pilot schemes was a significant increase in Foodbank use for claimants, for the food business it worth thinking about donating your end of day spare food at the end of the day to local foodbanks and charities to ease the hardship that those on the new Universal Credit will face in the coming weeks and months. Your local foodbank is Pontypridd Foodbank - based at St Lukes Church in Rhydyfelin, find out more on their website including how to give help - https://pontypridd.foodbank.org.uk/

The BID are happy to help co-ordinate this and publicise any business willing to give donations as well.

If you have any queries or ideas of how the BID can help you or the local community though the period of Universal Credit roll out in Rhondda Cynon Taf please get in touch with Victoria Pulman, BID Manager at Victoria@yourpontypridd.co.uk or 01443 244190