Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Deferred
No justification for denying young people access to UC health until age 22.
Conclusion
We share the Minister’s concern about young people being trapped in economic inactivity before their working lives have even begun, but we do not see why this means they should lose entitlement to UC health. The Government’s changes to UC rates, along with many of the other changes in the Green Paper, are designed precisely to support the economically inactive back to work, no matter their age. In other words, the Government believes that in the reformed system those on UC health will no longer be forgotten about. If this is so, the Minister’s concern about young people being trapped on benefits early in life will have been addressed and there will be no need to deny them access to UC health. (Conclusion, Paragraph 137)
Government Response Summary
The government stated that it welcomed views on raising the age for Universal Credit Health Element access as part of a consultation and is currently considering responses, with the policy direction to be set out in due course.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We welcomed views on raising the age someone can access the Universal Credit Health Element to 22, as part of our Green Paper consultation, which closed on 30 June. We are considering the responses to this consultation, and we will set out the policy direction in due course.