Recommendation 19

We are disappointed that the Minister seemed disinclined to consider specific additional support to pre-pensioners. We are also disappointed at the lack of evidence-based policy-making that has been driving this and policy making more generally in the DWP. We recommend that the government think again and, as a minimum, consult on the proposal for an uplift in the level of UC in the year before State Pension age with the aim of introducing additional support by the end of 2026. As part of this, it should: explain how it thinks conditionality rules should apply in the year before SPA; and produce its own assessment of the impact and overall costs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 91)