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Rollout timetable amended- (new claims)'The government will begin the (national) rollout of the UC Digital Service in 2016, completing by 2021. This brings plans into line with recent assurance from the Major Projects Authority, and the OBR’s assumptions.' source- HM Treasury Spending Review and the Autumn Statement 2015.
(old claims) The 'natural' migration of most existing claims are scheduled to be completed from May 2016- June 2018  and all by 2020/21(the last will be  ESA and Tax Credits). source-  source- HM Treasury Policy Costings Spending Review and the Autumn Statement 2015.

Digital service area extended- the South London areas where any type of claim are taken and the claimants manage their claim on line have been widened. From 2/12/2015 postcode districts SM5 1, SM5 3, SM5 9, SM6 0 and SM6 6 are included.  Already included are districts SM5 2, SM6 7, SM6 8, CR0 4, SM6 9, CR0 2 and SE1 5.

Health Benefits and Universal Credit- 'so called cliff edges' introduced.
Claimants above certain earnings thresholds will no longer be entitled- the lower threshold is £435 per month for those who do not have a child and/or limited capability for work (or limited capability for work related activity) element. The higher threshold is £935 per month for those who do have a child and/or limited capability for work (or limited capability for work related activity) element.

Minister Alistair Burt has explained that forms are being amended accordingly. Click here.

The government say they have not assessed the effect on work incentives.

More Conditionality Under UC- George Osborne explains that Universal Credit helps extend conditionality to 1.3 million extra HB claimants. Responding to the question he said..'...Gentleman refers to relates to people who are currently on housing benefit but do not face that conditionality. Housing benefit is becoming part of universal credit, so that is one category of people we can extend the conditionality to.'

Numbers of claimants on on UC- '141,000 people were on the Universal Credit caseload, as of 8th October 2015. Of these, 45,827 (or 32.5 per cent) were in employment and 95,177 (or 67.5 per cent) were not in employment.' click here
UC extended- now in 70% of job centres.

Book Now for our updated Universal Credit 2016 course taking place over the next few weeks.

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