Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 38
38
Rejected
Investigate work conditionality for younger partners in mixed-age couples, considering health and caring responsibilities.
Recommendation
The Government should investigate the extent to which it is reasonable to assume that the younger partners in these couples should be subject to work conditionality—taking account of any health conditions and caring responsibilities—and report back to the Committee by the end of 2025. (Recommendation, Paragraph 180)
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to investigate the conditionality for younger partners in mixed-age couples, stating there are no plans to change or explore these requirements.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Since May 2019, couples have needed to claim working age benefits (usually Universal Credit) until both members reach pension age. This approach ensures the working age member of the couple receives the same support to find and progress in work as any other working age claimant, regardless of the age of their partner. It does not affect when either member of the couple can start receiving their State Pension. Universal Credit supports claimants to enter work, earn more or prepare for work in the future. Claimants of working age are generally expected to undertake certain activities in return for financial support through the benefit system. Legislation sets out the types of requirements that can be applied to claimants depending on the legal conditionality group that applies to them and the consequences should a claimant not meet those requirements without good reason. Claimants who are in the No Work Related Requirements group are not subject to conditionality. This group includes claimants who are too sick to work, over State Pension Age, have defined caring responsibilities or are earning over their conditionality earnings threshold. The requirements any customer is asked to meet are clearly set out in their Claimant Commitment. Work Coaches seek to build a relationship with the claimant, understanding their individual circumstances (including exploring health and caring responsibilities) to help them into work. This relationship results in requirements that take into account customers’ particular capabilities and circumstances and comply with legislation, giving customers the best possible prospects of achieving their goal of obtaining employment. There are no plans to change or explore the requirement for mixed-age couples to claim Universal Credit, or the conditionality requirements for the younger partner. This working age customer will receive the same labour market support as other Universal Credit claimants and any conditionality applied to them will take into account their individual circumstances.