indefilms dot net's video: UNIVERSAL CREDIT PROTEST OUTSIDE HAMMERSMITH JOBCENTRE 4 12 2013

(This video was originally released in December 2013) Members from the Kilburn Unemployed Workers Group hand out leaflets and talk to claimants outside Hammersmith Jobcentre. Part of the week of action organised by Boycott Workfare. This event however explores concerns raised by the delayed introduction of Universal Credit, which will see a number of benefits (JSA, ESA, Housing Benefit etc.) made into a single payment. Although supposedly to simplify the system, it creates a potential for making claiming more problematic and increasing sanctions for benefit recipients, including those in part-time and low paid work. Making eligibility for some benefits more complicated and harder to obtain. One of the many areas of concern is that the process will mean all benefits have to be managed online (internet) and through bank accounts, which many of the poorest claimants have no access to. Public spending cuts have in fact reduced access, for instance; over 200 libraries (which could and did offer free internet access) closed in 2012 due to public spending cuts. Those that are left are staffed by untrained volunteers because skilled staff have been laid off. Many of the poorest households have no bank accounts and changing to Universal Credit means that payments will no longer be paid into Post Office accounts (Poca). In 2010 it was considered that Post Office Accounts may be a spring-board towards a bank accounts for those receiving benefits (i.e such as adding ATM and savings options). However, all these hopes never materialised. The Government claims that switching to Universal Credit will make claimants more responsible, taking control of their own accounts. This is in fact nonsense. Many Claimants have had — under the old system - their Housing Benefit paid directly to their Landlords (this option not widely available under Universal Credit) to avoid any payment problems. Just one example of Claimants actually being responsible An ironic statement in 2010 by the British Bankers' Association said Many people are comfortable operating in cash as they feel it helps them budget better. And their choice to operate in cash should not be seen as inferior. (You may link to this video, but may not re-upload, reuse, copy, distribute in any other form. For licensing, please contact indefilmsdotnet@gmail.com)