Opposition Day Debate: Universal Credit

The motion to be debated has not yet been announced, but the debate is expected to focus on:

• The impact of Universal Credit on families, and in particular how the amounts received compare with existing benefits and tax credits;
• Ongoing issues and concerns about aspects of the Universal Credit system and its administration; and
• The Department for Work and Pensions’ plans for the final “managed migration” stage of Universal Credit, which is expected to involve around 2 million households moving onto UC between 2019 and 2023.

On Tuesday 16th October BBC News reported that leaked documents showed that the Government was considering further measures to mitigate the effects of migrating to Universal Credit including:

• Allowing payment of certain benefits to continue for 2 weeks following a claim for UC;
• Reducing the maximum rate for deductions from UC from 40% to 30%; and
• Measures to help self-employed claimants

According to this report, alongside these measures, the end date for the introduction of Universal Credit would be pushed back further, from March 2023 to December 2023.

This briefing provides background information, alongside recent relevant parliamentary and press material, in addition to suggested further reading which Members may find useful when preparing for this debate.