By Vivienne Russell | 7 March 2012
The rush to provide all benefits online risks alienating the poorest and most vulnerable people in society, the Local Government Association warned today.
It urged public bodies to draw up plans to help all citizens learn to use the internet, focusing on problem families and vulnerable adults.
The government wants to provide as many public services as
possible online. This is scheduled to start with the Universal Credit, which will
replace existing benefits such as Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support
and Jobseeker’s Allowance in 2013. The aim is for online to be the default way to claim.
But the LGA points out that 8 million adults in the UK have never used the internet, particularly elderly, disabled, poor and unemployed people.
Flick Rea, chair of the LGA’s culture, tourism and sport board, said: ‘Getting vulnerable people online is something we must work hard to achieve as it can change their lives for the better in so many ways.
‘Moreover, it is now becoming essential as Whitehall moves towards a fully online system. Government must make sure it doesn’t jump the gun and cut millions of people off in a rush to meet benefit reform targets. Doing so could have catastrophic consequences for vulnerable people and the agencies which support them.’
Some councils are already taking action, the LGA says. Hertfordshire County Council offers classes on computers and the internet inall of its libraries, targeted at people with little or no experience of using the internet. In Liverpool, the city council is using ‘digital champions’ to get another 25,000 citizens online by the end of the month.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said Universal Credit was being designed to be 'digital by default' with the majority of claimants being able to use the service online.
He added: 'A range of support will be available by telephone and in person for claimants who aren't able to use online services directly and to help them to move online.
'The LGA and DWP are currently working together on the development of local authority pilots to investigate the role councils can play in delivering Universal Credit with help for residents to access digital services and employment support.'
