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Citizens Advice has said that the priorities in delivering Universal Credit must be to provide strong protection for the individuals involved, and providing additional support for parents receiving the new benefit.

The charity's comments come after the Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, today told the Conservative Party Conference that the flagship reform would be rolled out nationally in 2015 and 2016.

Citizens Advice Chief Executive, Gillian Guy, said:

“Delivering Universal Credit safely means rolling it out steadily. Extending Universal Credit nationwide needs to be coupled with strong support and clear guidance as to how people moving onto the new benefit will be helped with the transition. Ministers need to ensure that the computer systems behind Universal Credit, can deal with the complexities of people’s daily lives.

“Simplifying welfare and making every hour of work pay are good principles. The Government has made excellent progress in helping parents with the costs of raising a family and has a chance to go even further through Universal Credit. Giving all parents receiving Universal Credit 90 per cent of their childcare costs and Free School Meals to their children, would ensure they parents make every hour of work pay.”

Citizens Advice

Notes to editors:

1. This year the Citizens Advice service celebrates its 75th anniversary. We’ve planned a year of activity running from January to December 2014. Contact the press office on 03000 231 080, or via email at press.office@citizensadvice.org.uk, to find out more.
2. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
3. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
4. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
5. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
6. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 6.6 million problems from April 2012 to March 2013. For full 2012/2013 service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
7. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 22,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.