Design of Universal Credit and support for claimants examined by Lords
5 January 2020
The Economic Affairs Committee holds its fifth evidence session on the economics of Universal Credit inquiry.
- Parliament TV: The economics of Universal Credit
- Inquiry: The economics of Universal Credit
- Economic Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 5 May, virtual meeting
At 10.00
- Mike Brewer, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Economist, Resolution Foundation
- Nicholas Timmins, Senior Fellow, Institute for Government and the King's Fund
At 11:00 am
- Michael Royce, Senior Policy Manager, Money and Pensions Service
- Minesh Patel, Principal Policy Manager, Citizens Advice
- Sharon Wright, Professor of Social Policy, University of Glasgow
Likely questions
- To what extent is improving Universal Credit a question of increasing funding, or making fundamental changes to its design?
- What reforms would you like to see the Government make that would help the most vulnerable groups?
- Should the temporary changes to Universal Credit in response to Covid-19 be made permanent?
- What is the justification for a general debt amnesty? Should public sector debts be treated differently to private sector debts?
- What challenges do claimants face in accessing the Universal Credit system and maintaining their claims, using digital means?
- Is the support network available to claimants – charities, local authorities, etc. – too decentralised? What could be done to make it clearer to claimants where they should go to access different types of support?
- How well are work coaches able to tailor their support and Claimant Commitments to meet the needs and circumstances of claimants, and particularly vulnerable claimants?
Further information
Image: PA