Tuesday 30 Sep 2014 @ 16:15
Department for Work and Pensions
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Plans announced for accelerated rollout of Universal Credit after success in north west

DWP announce that Universal Credit will be rolled out to all Jobcentres and local authorities across the country from early next year.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith has yesterday (29 September 2014) announced that Universal Credit will be rolled out to all Jobcentres and local authorities across the country from early next year.

This marks a significant acceleration in one of the government’s biggest reforms and is a sign of the success of the policy so far. This expansion will be for new claims from single jobseekers.

Universal Credit brings together 6 benefits and tax credits into 1. The new service is already available in over 50 Jobcentres in England, Wales and Scotland, and will be available in nearly 100 Jobcentres by Christmas.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith said:

Universal Credit is a vision for a new welfare settlement; a welfare state fit for the 21st century; a testament to the hard work of Jobcentres and local authorities that we are now implementing it. It has now rolled out in the north west of England – to couples, shortly to families, to more than 1 in 8 jobcentres by Christmas – safely and securely as I always said.

Today I can announce that we are going to accelerate the delivery of Universal Credit from the new year, bringing forward the national rollout through 2015/16 to every single community across Great Britain. Secure national delivery, yet at the same time, delivering that life change at a local level; strengthening community partnerships, helping vulnerable households. Not just helping the economy but reducing child poverty as well.

It is bringing up to £35 billion in economic benefits to Britain over the next decade, helping people to get into work quicker and stay in it longer, making a lasting difference to people’s lives now and for generations to come. Universal Credit is going nationwide. I promise you we are going to finish what we started.

Click here for full press release

 

Channel website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

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