Universal Credit for local authorities updates – 2013
The Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework, published 11 February 2013, sets out who may need extra support claiming Universal Credit.
20 May 2013 – Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework
- Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework – message from Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform (80KB)
- Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework – message from Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform (Welsh) (80KB)
16 May 2013
On 16 May 2013 we published the May 2013 Learning and Payment figures for the Direct Payment Demonstration Project.
24 April 2013
Information about Universal Credit for claimants has been published onto the GOV.UK website and this will be updated regularly. This site includes the new online Personal Planner, which helps claimants prepare for Universal Credit. Claimants who have questions about Universal Credit can be sign-posted to this information.
25 March 2013 – Universal Credit Partner Toolkit
The new Universal Credit Partner toolkit is now available. This toolkit is designed to inform organisations about Universal Credit and to help explain the changes that Universal Credit will bring.
12 March 2013 - Universal Credit Chief Executive
David Pitchford has started work as the interim Chief Executive for the Universal Credit Programme.
David, Head of the Major Projects Authority in the Cabinet Office, has been appointed to the role following the death of Philip Langsdale at Christmas. He is a highly experienced leader of major projects on a global scale.
The move will help ensure the continued preparation for the early roll-out of Pathfinder in April, the progressive national roll-out from October, and plans for full migration to Universal Credit by 2017.
During the next three months, David's main objective is a clear blueprint and transition plan that will enable the safe and successful completion to Universal Credit by 2017, working closely with local authorities as one of our key delivery partners.
David has a number of set priorities to drive forward the delivery of Universal Credit. These include making sure no stone is left unturned in preparing for the pathfinder, ensuring the right leadership and capabilities are in place in the Programme and ensuring there is a smooth and controlled migration to Universal Credit.
Local authorities will have a crucial role in ensuring Universal Credit is a transformative change for their better. The Programme will continue to work closely with LAs in the design and delivery of Universal Credit, drawing on their skills and expertise to support claimants back into work, for example through accessing on-line services, budgeting support, and support for claimants with complex needs.
12 March 2013 – Universal Credit workshop
On 1 February a Universal Credit workshop took place between DWP and Local Authorities in order to actively involve local authorities in the design of Universal Credit where Local Authorities could be involved. Sixteen Local Authorities from across Great Britain attended.
We highly value the expertise and insight that local authorities can bring to the design of Universal Credit especially around:
- Signposting of claimants
- New claims to Universal Credit
- Change of circumstances for Universal Credit claimants
- Fraud and error in Universal Credit
- Data sharing between Local Authorities and DWP in Universal Credit
- Personal budgeting proposals for claimants.
Other workshops will be conducted shortly
- If you'd like to keep in touch with this work as it develops, please contact: uclocalauthority.liaisonteam@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
14 February 2013 – New Single Fraud Investigation Service
The Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS) is a new partnership between DWP, local authorities and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Since November 2012, 4 SFIS pilots have been operating in Glasgow, Corby, Wrexham and Hillingdon local authority areas. SFIS will conduct single investigations covering all welfare benefit fraud and aims to rationalise existing procedures and prosecution policies to create a more coherent investigation service that operates in a more efficient and consistent way.
Find out more about SFIS at the SFIS Communications Hub on the Local Government Association's Knowledge Hub. You will need to register with the Knowledge Hub first if you are not already a member. Then go to "Groups" and ask to join the SFIS Communications Hub. We already have a small library of useful documents and frequently asked questions and in the future we hope to open the discussion forum facility.
11 February 2013 – Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework
Ministers have announced the publication of the Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework, the result of careful and intensive working between the DWP and colleagues in the Local Government Association, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Welsh Local Government Associations with input from Local Authority representatives.
- Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework (420KB)
- Welsh Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework (248KB)
- Letter to local authority chief executives (31KB)
- Welsh letter to local authority chief executives (62KB)
The framework will be put in place for the introduction of Universal Credit in 2013, to help claimants who may require extra support to access Universal Credit. The framework explains:
- who may need help
- what services they may need
- how these services will be provided through locally developed partnerships.
The framework applies to phase 2 of the Universal Credit programme from October 2013 to 2014. We will refine and update it over the coming months to create a refreshed version for 2014/15. We will use feedback from local authorities and other delivery partners, learning from the 12 local authority led pilots, the 6 demonstration projects and our experience of the pathfinder operating in the North West to inform the refresh. The framework applies to Great Britain as a whole, but as it develops we expect it to reflect any varying needs and conditions regionally and in Scotland and Wales.
We welcome your comments on the framework and how you will respond to it in your area. You can find details of how to provide feedback in the document.
We have also published draft guidance explaining who could be paid by alternative arrangements under Universal Credit.
