Latest on Universal Credit
28 March 2013 - Operational details on the Pathfinder
26 March 2013 – Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
The toolkit is for organisations, particularly those in the Pathfinder locations, to inform them about Universal Credit and to help explain the changes that Universal Credit will bring.
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 (515KB)
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We have also published draft guidance explaining who could be paid by alternative arrangements under Universal Credit.
- Universal Credit alternative payment arrangements cover note (23KB)
- Universal Credit alternative payment arrangements guidance (97KB)
10 December 2012 – Universal Credit and related regulations laid before Parliament
The Government has today laid before Parliament the following draft regulations that support the introduction of Universal Credit:
- Universal Credit Regulations 2013
- Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2013
- Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 2013
- Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013
- Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013
- Social Security (Payments on Account of Benefit) Regulations 2013.
We have updated the Universal Credit impact assessment.
The Social Security Advisory Committee consulted on some of the key regulations and we have today published their report along with the Government response.
We have also published:
- Transitional Protection briefing note (34KB) covering the final proposals for transitional protection for claimants moved from an existing benefit to Universal Credit during later stages of the migration process
20 September 2012 – Additional support for Universal Credit claimants announced
Giving evidence at the Work and Pensions Select Committee on 17 September 2012, Ministers announced three additional areas of support for Universal Credit claimants.
Help with budgeting
DWP will explore the feasibility of making accounts with budgeting tools available to Universal Credit claimants. These budgeting tools could help make sure people’s essential bills are covered – helping them to build up their credit rating and break the cycle of financial exclusion.
DWP is looking for a range of diverse providers to express an interest in developing these new financial products.
Supported accommodation housing costs
Having listened to representations, Ministers have announced that help towards housing costs for those living in supported accommodation will be provided outside Universal Credit. DWP wants to continue to provide a flexible system to help meet the higher costs often associated with providing supported accommodation.
Self-employment start up period
Ministers recognise the need for claimants who are setting up a business to be given time to establish themselves and find sources of support. Therefore where a claimant has been self-employed for less than 12 months, a start up period will be granted. This means that claimants will not be required to satisfy work-search or availability requirements, and the Minimum Income Floor will not be applied thereby giving them time to concentrate on developing their business.
Ministers have listened to the views of stakeholders and as a result have decided to allow a new start up period every 5 years rather than once in a claimant’s lifetime.
Frequently asked questions published – 9 July 2012
- Frequently asked questions – Universal Credit (55KB) – published 9 July 2012
Policy briefing note on transitional protection published – 4 July 2012
- Policy briefing note – Transitional Protection (25KB) – published 4 July 2012
Universal Credit draft regulations published – 15 June 2012
We have published a series of draft regulations for Universal Credit.
Draft regulations
- Universal Credit Regulations 2012
- Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Working-age Benefits (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2012
- Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Working-age Benefits (Claims and Payments) Regulations 2012
- Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations 2012
- Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2012
The Social Security Advisory Committee is consulting on some of the key regulations and will respond to the Secretary of State with recommendations in August 2012.
The Committee also reviewed Housing Benefit (Benefit Cap) Regulations 2012 and have invited comments as part of the consultation process. These regulations will be laid in Parliament before summer recess and any comments received by the Committee will be used to inform debate in the autumn.
- Universal Credit draft regulations published
- Social Security Advisory Committee website
- Written Ministerial Statement on the Universal Credit draft regulations (9.6KB)
Pathfinder and national rollout of Universal Credit – 24 May 2012
Universal Credit will go live in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire region six months before the national rollout.
The Pathfinder will take place in Tameside, Oldham, Wigan and Warrington from April 2013. It will enable DWP to test the new simpler, single benefit payment system and its IT with local authorities, employers and claimants in a live environment before Universal Credit is rolled out across the country in October 2013.
