[UK] Universal credit claimants working under 18 hours a week must seek more work

In the UK, universal credit claimants who work fewer than 18 hours a week will be expected to look for more work, after a change to the welfare system came into effect this month, BBC News reports.

Prior to this, people claiming universal credit only had to work 15 hours. The move is part of wider welfare system reforms that the government announced in April.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reportedly said the rule change meant 180,000 people would have to increase their working hours.

According to Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, the government is "radically expanding" the support available to help people "on their journey off benefits".

However, Turn2Us - a charity which supports people in financial difficulty - has called on the government to reconsider this policy that, it said, could have a "drastic impact" on people with long-term health conditions, caring responsibilities or irregular incomes.

The 18 hours a week minimum, around half a full-time working week, applies to people earning the minimum wage. An individual earning a higher hourly rate can work fewer hours if their total earnings meet the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) set by the government.

From May 13, the AET will be £892; the figure someone working 18 hours a week at the minimum wage would earn in a month.

A claimant earning less than the threshold will reportedly be asked to look for more, or better paid, work.

A couple earning less than £1,437 between them will be expected to try to increase their earnings.

The DWP said that claimants earning below the threshold will be given more "intensive" Jobcentre support, including more frequent meetings with a work coach.

Universal credit claimants who do not engage with the process or take available work could lose some of their benefits.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the changes to the minimum hours requirement would help people on universal credit "progress towards financial independence, which is better for them and for economic growth".

Michael Clarke, from Turn2Us, told BBC News he had "serious concern" over the change.

"It’s vital that the support system truly supports, rather than penalises those it's meant to help," he said.

"These changes severely challenge those managing jobs with irregular or fluctuating incomes and carefully balanced responsibilities like childcare.

Mr Clarke reportedly said the system failed to allow for "the reality of those on the financial edge".

"For single mothers and others on razor-thin margins, these adjustments risk tipping them into crisis, exacerbating financial instability and mental stress as they struggle to meet these new demands," he said.

In April, Mr Sunak outlined plans to reform the welfare system further should the Conservatives win the next election.

The prime minister stated that welfare should not be "a lifestyle choice". He intends to change the rules so that welfare recipients who do not take work, or try to meet the conditions set out, for a year lose all benefits.

In addition, Mr Sunak wants to tackle something he calls the "sick note culture", by changing the certification process for people who are too unwell to work. He plans to reform the payments system for individuals unable to work as a result of long-term physical or mental illness or disability.

Disability charities have reportedly described such plans as "a full-on assault on disabled people".

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, universal credit claimants who work fewer than 18 hours a week will be expected to look for more work, after a change to the welfare system came into effect this month, BBC News reports.

Prior to this, people claiming universal credit only had to work 15 hours. The move is part of wider welfare system reforms that the government announced in April.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reportedly said the rule change meant 180,000 people would have to increase their working hours.

According to Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride, the government is "radically expanding" the support available to help people "on their journey off benefits".

However, Turn2Us - a charity which supports people in financial difficulty - has called on the government to reconsider this policy that, it said, could have a "drastic impact" on people with long-term health conditions, caring responsibilities or irregular incomes.

The 18 hours a week minimum, around half a full-time working week, applies to people earning the minimum wage. An individual earning a higher hourly rate can work fewer hours if their total earnings meet the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) set by the government.

From May 13, the AET will be £892; the figure someone working 18 hours a week at the minimum wage would earn in a month.

A claimant earning less than the threshold will reportedly be asked to look for more, or better paid, work.

A couple earning less than £1,437 between them will be expected to try to increase their earnings.

The DWP said that claimants earning below the threshold will be given more "intensive" Jobcentre support, including more frequent meetings with a work coach.

Universal credit claimants who do not engage with the process or take available work could lose some of their benefits.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the changes to the minimum hours requirement would help people on universal credit "progress towards financial independence, which is better for them and for economic growth".

Michael Clarke, from Turn2Us, told BBC News he had "serious concern" over the change.

"It’s vital that the support system truly supports, rather than penalises those it's meant to help," he said.

"These changes severely challenge those managing jobs with irregular or fluctuating incomes and carefully balanced responsibilities like childcare.

Mr Clarke reportedly said the system failed to allow for "the reality of those on the financial edge".

"For single mothers and others on razor-thin margins, these adjustments risk tipping them into crisis, exacerbating financial instability and mental stress as they struggle to meet these new demands," he said.

In April, Mr Sunak outlined plans to reform the welfare system further should the Conservatives win the next election.

The prime minister stated that welfare should not be "a lifestyle choice". He intends to change the rules so that welfare recipients who do not take work, or try to meet the conditions set out, for a year lose all benefits.

In addition, Mr Sunak wants to tackle something he calls the "sick note culture", by changing the certification process for people who are too unwell to work. He plans to reform the payments system for individuals unable to work as a result of long-term physical or mental illness or disability.

Disability charities have reportedly described such plans as "a full-on assault on disabled people".

Source: BBC News

(Quotes via original reporting)