DWP Select Committee Progress in Introducing Universal Credit Examined

The Work and Pensions Committee holds a one-off evidence session and hears from experts and representatives from charities, landlords and local authorities on progress in introducing Universal Credit and what impact it is having.

Monday 23 January 2017, the Wilson Room, Portcullis House At 4.00pm

Witness

Nick Atkin, Group Chief Executive, Halton Housing Trust

David Finch, Senior Economic Analyst, Resolution Foundation

Mark Fowler, Director of Gateway & Welfare, London Borough of Croydon

Martin Williams, Welfare Rights Worker, Child Poverty Action Group

Focus of the session

The session is likely to focus on the following topics:

How Universal Credit has changed from its original inception, and what effect this has had on its ability to deliver against its aims.

How well Universal Credit supports claimants in a changing economy that includes increased prevalence of zero-hour contracts, self-employment and in-work poverty

The impact on claimants of in-work conditionality, sanctions and receiving a single payment in arrears each month.

The knock-on effect of Universal Credit’s introduction on other organisations, such as local authorities and housing associations

Background

Universal Credit is a single system for people both in and out of work, which replaces six means-tested benefits. Key features of Universal Credit include: the amount payable is adjusted automatically in response to changes in earnings; claimants’ responsibilities in return for payments are set out in a conditionality agreement, and they can lose payments through sanctions if these conditions are not met; and it is paid using a single household payment, made in in arrears each month.

The coalition government announced Universal Credit in November 2010, and since April 2016 it has been available across the country for single claimants. The Government expects to complete the introduction of Universal Credit in March 2022, by when all eligible claimants will have transferred to it.

ABC Comment: This should be a very interesting debate. Universal Credit is way of course. 83% of Housing Benefit Claimants are in arrears.