Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is failing in its duty to help local people, according to local MP Marcus Jones.

It comes following confirmation from the Borough Council that only 38% of its Discretionary Housing Payment allocation from central Government has been spent on helping local people. The Discretionary Housing Payment scheme covers shortfalls between rental liability and the payment of Housing Benefit, the additional funding provided to local Councils by central Government to ensure that money existed to help local people who had a shortfall following the introduction of welfare reforms.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council was allocated £196,127 by the Government in 2013/14 and is set to receive £221,057 in 2014/15 – an increase of £24,930. The Council is facing criticism having opted to spend just over one third of its allocation in the last financial year, despite attacking the Government for reducing its funding.

Commenting, Marcus said: “I fully accept that some people have faced challenges as a result of the welfare changes, and that is why I am very pleased that more people than ever are now in employment, which is the best means to lift people out of poverty. However, I am disappointed in the uncaring nature of the local Labour controlled Council. In recognising that for some people the changes would be difficult, the Government rightly provided funding to the Borough Council to ensure that money was available to help those who need it.

“Despite the fact that the local Council has spent less than half of its allocation, the Government has increased funding for Nuneaton to ensure that as many people as possible receive help and assistance.

“It is absolutely staggering that the Council spent only 38% of its £196k allocation. It is nothing short of outrageous for a Council that has committed so much time and energy in attacking central Government for reducing its funding; when it won’t spend the money it is given to help local people. I am appalled at the figures and you do have to question whether such low spending is politically motivated.

“I would urge local people who are in receipt of housing benefit, if they are struggling to make ends meet, to contact the Borough Council and to ask if the Discretionary Housing Payment is relevant to their circumstances. For some people, it will be the vital help and support they need.

“The Borough Council must get this right in this financial year as the Government has increased its funding, and I will be keeping close tabs on how this money is spent.”