Issue - meetings

The report of the Benefits Operational Manager

Mr S Coop presented the report to Members. He reminded the Members of the background to the  concept of UC and that it had recently been announced that the rollout of UC would be significantly delayed to allow testing to take place and it would not be  until the summer of 2019 that a very gradual rollout would start . He informed Members on the how the changes would affect the claimant and that once signed up to Universal Credit they would not be able to change their minds. He outlined transitional protection and the requirement to claim. He advised that one of the biggest challenges would be the engagement of those who had not any previous contact with the DWP and that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions had announced there would be a new partnership between the DWP and Citizens Advice Bureau to deliver support to claimants from April 2019.

In response to questions from Councillor J Hallam, Mr S Coop advised the Members that those in receipt of tax credit with a capital of £16k would have that capital ignored for a period of 12 months. 

Mrs S O’Hanlon advised that the Members that that the reduction in work for the Partnership that had been expected did not appear to be happening, in fact once the migration starts it may actually increase.

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.