City of York Council should set up a new cross-party working group to review the effect of welfare changes in the City and their impact on anti-poverty initiatives, Liberal Democrat councillors have said.

A question put to the Council Leader at Thursday’s Full Council meeting called for a panel of councillors and council officers to look at how new rules on benefits, spare bedrooms and other changes brought in by the Government have affected residents.

Lib Dems say they are uneasy that welfare reform in York is becoming a political football rather than focussing on how real people are being affected. They are also concerned about misinformation on welfare changes, with councillors reporting some residents wrongly being worried about facing cuts, whilst others are unaware of the changes.

In light of the cross-party support for the Council’s recently launched Poverty Strategy the Lib Dems say a similar approach to the welfare changes is needed.

Leader of the City of York Council Liberal Democrat Group Cllr Keith Aspden said:

“At a national level there is agreement that the UK’s growing benefits bill needs to be brought under control and we need a system which the public has confidence in. This is the aim of the Coalition Government.
“However, if there is evidence that the changes are causing serious problems for vulnerable people or undermining the local cross-party anti-poverty drive, then we need to properly study the facts and where necessary be making a cross-party case to Government to take another look. We also need to be searching for viable local solutions rather than throwing around claims and counter-claims and using these issues as a political football.

“Everybody is entitled to their view on welfare changes, but councillors also need to work together whenever possible for the good of local residents.”

Councillor Keith Aspden asked Council Leader James Alexander the following question at Thursday’s Full Council. A written response will be circulated next week.

Cllr Aspden: The Cabinet Leader recently welcomed the cross-party support for the Poverty Strategy. Would he agree with me that a cross-party approach to supporting residents with welfare reforms is also needed? If so, would he agree to set-up a cross-party welfare reform working group as soon as possible, including opposition councillors and relevant council officers, through which the council can objectively assess the effects of welfare changes in York, ensure that the council is using its staff and resources to help and inform the most vulnerable, and collectively lobby the government where necessary?