Government welfare reforms will make life harder for some Croydon residents who do not have "the skills or capability" to manage their money, according to one Labour councillor.

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Councillor Alisa Flemming, speaking at a cabinet meeting on Monday, also suggested that the introduction of Universal Credit (UC) could lead to more money being spent in the borough's betting shops.

UC is a system of combining different benefit payments into one single payment, paid in monthly as opposed to weekly or fortnightly installments.

In June, Croydon became the second borough in the country to begin a phased roll out of the system.

Coun Flemming said: "While it would be a nice idea [to combine payments]...there are so many residents within the borough that do not unfortunately have the skills and capabilities to manage their money in such a way that at the end of the month, one, their bills are paid, but two, the children are fed and looked after.

"We have to think about the residents we are supposed to be serving and understanding their needs."

She added that an increased number of betting shops in the borough was contributing to "mismanagement" of benefit payments by some residents.

She said: "I am sure we will see an increase in where that money is going."

The discussion was held in the light of a council report warning that hundreds of Croydon families would be affected by the introduction of a £23,000 household benefit cap, set to come in next April.

Conservative councillors in the chamber appeared subdued during the discussion on welfare reform, although Coun Jason Cummings questioned why it had not been mentioned that some claimants may be better off under UC. 

Coun Cummings also rejected rejected suggestions that he or his Tory colleagues "took joy" in the cuts.

He said: "If you want to make a suggestion I take in any joy in the cuts that are being made and the impact it will have on people on the poverty line, you don't know that I spent my entire childhood below the poverty line and in receipt of benefits.

"I do understand, I do know...because I have lived it first hand."

Will you be affected by the benefit cap? Get in touch on 0208 722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@london.newsquest.co.uk