Mayor opens ‘financial health’ centre to help families with Universal Credit

A financial ‘health centre’ is being opened today to help families struggling to make ends meet as the government completes its roll-out of Universal Credit to postcodes around Bethnal Green and part of Shoreditch.

Before the introduction of the cap under Margaret Thatcher, councils built around 10,000 homes a year - but post cap, the number dropped to as low as 100. Picture: Google - Credit: Google

The new centre is being officially opened by Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs at Raynham House in Massingham Street, off Globe Road, Stepney Green, at 1pm.

It aims to give people “a physical space to speak to someone about their financial worries”, giving advice on debt, managing money, housing and welfare benefits and even helping to search for jobs.

The centre is being run by Tower Hamlets Homes social landlords which manages former council housing estates.

“Financial worries is one of the biggest causes of stress,” a spokesman for the housing organisation said. “This is one of the most deprived boroughs in London with child poverty, deprivation and youth unemployment. Many families have struggled to get advice in how to overcome their problems.”

The centre is opening five days a week, tackling the “fall out” effects of the Universal Credit coming to E2 postcodes next month, which completes the full rollout in Tower Hamlets.