Press release
From:
Department for Work and Pensions
First published:
15 February 2015
Part of:
Simplifying the welfare system and making sure work pays, Employment and Welfare
The national roll out of Universal Credit begins on 16 February 2015.
Jobcentres, from the rural Highlands of Scotland, down through the Vale of York and into London, are moving over to the new benefit.
As part of the accelerated roll out announced by the Secretary of State, Iain Duncan Smith in September, over 150 Jobcentres will come on board in the next 2 months. It will then be available in all Jobcentres by this time next year.
And on the eve of this national roll out, new research shows that Universal Credit is getting people into work more quickly and so helping them to earn more.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith said:
Accessible Media Player by NomensaThis government’s welfare reforms have saved the taxpayer £50 billion and restored fairness to the system.
The centrepiece of these reforms – Universal Credit – begins national roll out tomorrow. This landmark event is a key part of our long term economic plan, which guarantees you will always be better off in work than on benefits.
The evidence today shows that under Universal Credit, people move into work more quickly and earn more money, giving them increased financial security. It is very impressive that we have seen these results so soon and that this is having a real impact on people’s lives. This is a cultural change which will alter the landscape of work for a generation.
The research shows that, over a 4 month period, claimants are:
Similar to previous findings, the report also confirms that new Universal Credit claimants in the expanded sites are more likely than Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants to:
Once fully rolled out, Universal Credit will boost the economy by £7 billion every year.
Universal Credit eventually replaces 6 existing income-based benefits – Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Working and Child Tax Credits and Housing Benefit.
The research was carried out by tracking claimants from July 2013 to April 2014 in the areas of:
These results based on income data from Real Time Information (RTI) were compared to a similar group of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants.
More than 50,000 people have already made a claim to Universal Credit. It is available in 96 jobcentres including all of the north-west and is available to couples too. Claims from families and lone parents are also being taken in 32 sites.
Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only – not questions about personal claims) 020 3267 5144
Out-of-hours (journalists only) 076 59 108 883
England and Wales (local media enquiries) 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099
Scotland (local media enquiries) 0131 310 1122
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