Push Back To Full Roll Out Of Universal Credit

The full roll out of Universal Credit has been pushed back to 2023 giving government time to implement a series of changes to the ‘reform’. In a written statement to the Commons, Esther McVey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announcing four additions to the way UC was expected to work. To support the transition for those claimants living alone with substantial care needs and receiving the Severe Disability Premium, the change is intended to ensure such claimants won’t be moved to UC until they qualify for transitional protection. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/push-back-to-full-roll-out-of-universal-credit/

Existing Claimants Protected Under Universal Credit

The Department for Work and Pensions has insisted no households currently claiming benefit will lose out under universal credit.  An impact assessment shows around 800,000 more households than previously expected will have lower ‘notional’ benefit entitlements under universal credit.  The assessment shows 2.8 million households will have lower entitlements under the policy, compared to the 2 million quoted in an equality impact assessment in October last year.  However, the DWP said the assessment does not take into account ‘transitional protection’ – money used to top up incomes to prevent current claimants moving to the new system from losing out.  Download a copy of the Impact Assessment from the DWP website.