Parents on Universal Credit Expected to Work More Hours

URGENT FOR ALL EMPLOYABILITY COLLEAGUES

Today (25 October 2023) the DWP has announced that parents of children aged three to twelve years on Universal Credit will be expected to work a maximum of thirty hours a week or job seek for these hours. This is a major change for the mothers that we work with at Belina GRoW and for many people you support too. For us, employability work must balance short and longer-term aspirations: including stepping-stone jobs, volunteering, and doing functional and sector-specific training. 

The DWP has said that these changes will take account of parent’s personal circumstances including their access to suitable childcare and the preparation that they are doing to move into work. The shortage of flexible jobs and suitable childcare are a big concern.

My hope for this policy change is that Work Coaches take full account of the circumstances of parents including the support offered by the employability sector. Helping with the longer-term goals of parents and preparation for work are valid and result in moves into sustainable work that makes the most of skills and aspirations and ultimately less reliance on Universal Credit.

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/half-a-million-parents-universal-credit-benefit-cuts-work-2709535?utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_campaign=i_morningheadlinesWIDE_July23%202023-10-25&utm_term=editorial_morning_newsletter