Recommendation 36

The Government’s decision to delay the move of ESA claimants to UC until 2028 means that the Department will not complete implementation of UC until at least six years later than it planned in 2018.75 The Department told us that the number of people on 66 C&AG’s Report, para 17. In addition to income-related Employment and Support Allowance, a separate benefit called “New Style Employment and Support Allowance” can also be claimed. This chapter concerns only income- related Employment and Support Allowance. 67 Q 43; C&AG’s Report, para 3.4 68 C&AG’s Report, para 18 69 C&AG’s Report, para 19 70 Q 49; Department for Work & Pensions, Completing the move to Universal Credit, 6 June 2022 71 Q 45; C&AG’s Report, Figure 14 72 C&AG’s Report, para 19 73 Q 50; Benefits calculators available on gov.uk 74 Q 51 75 C&AG’s Report, para 9 Progress in implementing Universal Credit 19 ESA was falling as people reached pension age and moved off the benefit. It expected that by 2028 there would be around 600,000 claimants left to migrate. It has not yet developed a plan for moving these claimants to UC.76 76 Q 49; C&AG’s Report, para 17 20 Progress in implementing Universal Credit