TENANTS will have to pay their council house rent by direct debit.

Councillors made the change yesterday to try to cope with the Government’s controversial universal credit plan.

Under the scheme, people on benefits will receive a single payment each month, including jobseekers allowance, tax credits and housing benefit.

Opponents of the change, which will be phased in from October 2013, fear some families will be unable to manage the money for a whole month.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet voted yesterday to make all council house tenants pay by direct debit to cope with the change.

Under the plan, all 23,000 tenants would have their rent automatically taken from their bank account each month.

Around 9,500 council house tenants in Kirklees will be eligible for universal credit.

Cabinet member for resources Clr David Sheard, while in favour of direct debit, criticised the universal credit plan at yesterday’s meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.

“This is a monthly payment to families who have nothing else coming in,” said the Heckmondwike Labour man. “I feel like it’s not really been thought through. They may have had good intentions, but the people who thought of this policy don’t have much touch with the real world.

“It’s an appalling policy, I’m really, really despondent about this.”

Cabinet member for health Clr Jean Calvert told the meeting she was concerned about council house tenants who prefer to use cash.

“Some of our tenants might not have bank accounts,” said the Ashbrow Labour woman.

“Some people prefer to have cash in their pocket. A lot of people just want to go with their pass-book.

“If you don’t know people like that then you need to open your eyes because the majority of poor people are like that.

“I would be happier if the proposal wasn’t mandatory direct debit.”

Clr Sheard replied: “Jean’s coming at this from the wrong angle. Direct debit is a cheaper way for us to collect money.

“Cash is an expensive way of collecting money so all the other tenants have to pay more for those tenants who want to use cash.”

The Cabinet voted to approve the mandatory direct debit plan.

It is due to come into force in April 2013, following consultation.