• Full roll-out in Reigate & Banstead from October 24
• Citizens Advice sets out essential principles

Until now Universal Credit has been available to a small number of people in Reigate & Banstead.  On  24 October we shall become a UC full service area.

The main consequence is that most new claims in the 6 ‘legacy’ benefit areas* will be claims for UC.  The change will often also affect existing claimants when a change of circumstances means they can’t make a new claim for a legacy benefit.  This process is known as ‘natural migration’.

During 2019, the government will require people receiving legacy benefits to transfer to UC in a process known as ‘managed migration’.

UC was controversial from the start but is now reaching its most critical phase.  As claimant numbers grow, a worryingly high number of people are finding themselves unable to pay for essentials, including food.

Citizens Advice has unique insight into the experience of claimants and recently gave its response to a Social Security Advisory Committee consultation on the government ‘migration’ plans.

At a seminar** in Westminster last week Kayley Hignell, Citizens Advice Head of Policy Families, Welfare and Work (pictured above with Sir Ian Diamond, SSAC Chair) set out principles for implementation:

• Readiness – allow brake points if consequences of action are unclear
• Prevent loss of income that could lead to rent arrears or hunger
• Administration – don’t burden individuals with impossible complexity
• Support – provide adequate, relevant support, consistent across the country
• Transitional protection – provide effective arrangements.

The CA principles will be the basis of CARBS research and campaigns as we countdown to October 24 and in the coming months.

* Legacy benefits:  Housing Benefit; Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit; Income Support.
** Making Universal Credit universal: Getting the next phase of Universal credit right, Resolution Foundation, 06/09/18