DWP names 15 councils in long-list for Universal Credit pilots

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have today named 15 local authorities in England recommended as potential pilot sites for Universal Credit.

The pilots will focus on delivering the face-to-face support some people may need to make claims for Universal Credit, including online support, help with budgeting and job searches, reducing fraud and error, and reducing homelessness.

Universal Credit - which comes in from October 2013 - will replace income-based jobseekers allowance, income support, income-based employment support allowance, housing benefit, working tax credit and child tax credit. It will be paid monthly to claimants.

As part of the reform, claimants will be expected to apply online to a central system from next year, not through their council.

The DWP expects 80% of claims to be made online from 2017 leading to fears that the experience of council staff supporting claimants face-to-face would be lost.

However, the department says it is committed to providing face-to-face support for those who need it and in April called on local authorities to deliver pilots to support residents in preparation for Universal Credit.

From the recommended local authorities it has announced today, the DWP will make a final selection of those that will go ahead in the autumn. It had received proposals from 38 councils.

The English councils recommended for the pilots are:

• Barnet
• Bath and North East Somerset
• Birmingham
• Hammersmith and Fulham (in consortium with Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Westminster)
• Leeds
• Lewisham
• Melton
• Newcastle under Lyme
• North Dorset
• Oldham
• Oxford
• Rushcliffe
• A consortium of North Yorkshire authorities led by Scarborough
• West Lindsey; and
• Wigan

The Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud said: “Local authority led pilots will provide a unique opportunity for councils to shape the development of Universal Credit.

“All the recommended local authorities offer very exciting ideas on how they might help people with their claims for Universal Credit and progress into work. We are now working through the long-list with a view to announcing the final dozen or so successful authorities across Great Britain in the summer.”

Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the LGA, said: "It is vital that local people are fully supported when these benefit and tax credit changes come into place.

"Councils have a central role to play in providing face-to-face assistance and advice in the new welfare system, as they have a strong understanding of local job markets and the needs of their residents.

"These councils have put forward some positive proposals for taking the pilots forward, and they will play an important role in working towards a smoother rollout later next year."

The announcement follows close discussion with Lord Freud and the LGA.

A separate selection process is under way for local authorities in Wales and Scotland.