Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Deferred
Implement further increases to Universal Credit standard allowance and delay UC health reduction for disabled people.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government consider implementing further increases to the standard allowance over the life of the Parliament, in addition to those provided for in the Universal Credit Bill. We also call on the Government to delay the reduction in UC health until it has carried out an independent and comprehensive assessment of the impact the change could have on disabled people. (Recommendation, Paragraph 99)
Government Response Summary
The government stated it is carefully considering responses to its Green Paper consultation on conditionality and employment support for disabled people and will share further details in due course, without committing to further increases in the standard allowance or delaying the reduction in UC health.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, the Department set out its intention to guarantee personalised employment support to anyone claiming out of work benefits with a health condition or disability who wants to work but is currently outside the labour market. Currently, a large number of these claimants are placed in a conditionality regime where they are not routinely engaged or offered any support following the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). This requires careful consideration and a range of external input. We recognise that many disabilities and health conditions are complex and fluctuate, meaning that the support an individual may require—and their ability to engage with it—can change over time. In the Green Paper, we consulted on our approach to conditionality, and we set out that we think it is reasonable to expect most people, as a minimum, to engage in periodic conversations with us about their aspirations to work and to hear about the support available to them. We are carefully considering responses to these questions alongside other evidence and the Committee’s recommendation. We recognise the need to provide further detail and clarity on how any potential conditionality regimes, and their applicable requirements, for disabled people and those with health conditions will operate and will share detail of our proposals in due course. 6