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Universal Credit policy to expand to 90 jobcentres | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The government's flagship welfare policy, Universal Credit, is to be introduced in 90 jobcentres in north-west England, Iain Duncan Smith says. | The government's flagship welfare policy, Universal Credit, is to be introduced in 90 jobcentres in north-west England, Iain Duncan Smith says. |
The work and pensions secretary told the BBC the change would apply only to single claimants, with couples and families joining at a later stage. | The work and pensions secretary told the BBC the change would apply only to single claimants, with couples and families joining at a later stage. |
But ministers have not set a target date for that to happen. | But ministers have not set a target date for that to happen. |
The benefit is currently distributed at just 10 jobcentres, having been delayed a number of times since its creation. | The benefit is currently distributed at just 10 jobcentres, having been delayed a number of times since its creation. |
Ministers say the changes will get under way next week. | Ministers say the changes will get under way next week. |
The Universal Credit system merges six working-age benefits - income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, child tax credit, working tax credit and housing benefit - into a single payment in a far-reaching change designed to encourage work and reduce fraud. | The Universal Credit system merges six working-age benefits - income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, child tax credit, working tax credit and housing benefit - into a single payment in a far-reaching change designed to encourage work and reduce fraud. |
'Improve' chances | 'Improve' chances |
Mr Duncan Smith said: "What we're planning to do is start rolling out Universal Credit [for] singles, which is the bit that we've been testing, to the whole of the North West. | Mr Duncan Smith said: "What we're planning to do is start rolling out Universal Credit [for] singles, which is the bit that we've been testing, to the whole of the North West. |
"That means basically that the North West will, across the board, be engaged with Universal Credit. | "That means basically that the North West will, across the board, be engaged with Universal Credit. |
"And then coming down the track will be further embellishments, such as couples and families." | "And then coming down the track will be further embellishments, such as couples and families." |
He added: "That will improve the quality of service for people, improve their chances of getting back to work." | He added: "That will improve the quality of service for people, improve their chances of getting back to work." |
Asked whether there was the "tiniest percentage chance of universal credit being scrapped", Mr Duncan Smith said simply: "No." | Asked whether there was the "tiniest percentage chance of universal credit being scrapped", Mr Duncan Smith said simply: "No." |
Meanwhile, a committee of MPs has described changes to disability benefits as "nothing short of a fiasco". | Meanwhile, a committee of MPs has described changes to disability benefits as "nothing short of a fiasco". |
The Public Accounts Committee said some of the "most vulnerable in society" have been let down because of delays assessing claimants for the new disability benefit - the Personal Independence Payment. | The Public Accounts Committee said some of the "most vulnerable in society" have been let down because of delays assessing claimants for the new disability benefit - the Personal Independence Payment. |
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