DWP Operational Stakeholders Engagement Forum - 22 January 2014 Universal Credit Jean Cooling Department for Work and Pensions

Since we last met (20 November) Since 25 November new jobseekers in Rugby and Inverness are able to make a claim for Universal Credit. We published early evaluation of the Universal Credit Pathfinder on 29 November. We published the statistics for the pathfinder areas for the period April 2013 to 30 September 2013 on 3 December 2013. Latest figures due 22nd Jan. On 5 December the Secretary of State announced plans for the next stage of Universal Credit. On 6 December, we published the Universal Credit Local Support Services Update and Trialling Plan. This month (January 2014), jobseekers at almost 400 jobcentres across Great Britain are using the new Claimant Commitment.

Universal Credit timeline Transition & Migration End-state Service Development 2014 2015 2016 2017 Claimant Commitment Digital Jobcentre Universal Jobmatch Test & Learn Couples Expand scope, starting in Summer 2014 Children Expand scale, once scope expansion is safely tested North West

Pathfinder evaluation & statistics Early evaluation of Pathfinder: Almost two-thirds of Universal Credit claimants think that the new system provides a better financial incentive to work Universal Credit claimants are doing more to get into work than jobseekers claiming under the current system 90% of Universal Credit claimants are making their claims online and over three-quarters (78%) of Universal Credit claimants also feel confident about their ability to budget with monthly payments Latest Stats Official statistics update 22nd January Almost half of all starts – male and under 25 The caseload has grown steadily each month, more than doubling between August and October.

Universal Credit Claimant Research

Working with local partners and stakeholders Feedback from operational staff in the live running sites and sites preparing for go live Shotton: “ Local Authority is very supportive of Universal Credit so stakeholders who interact with the LA are already on board. When they attend a Customer Representative Group meeting led by us they are positive. “ Ashton-under-Lyne: “Our local Housing Association has been very supportive. They have held work club meetings to talk about the Claimant Commitment.” Hammersmith: “We held a major information event with local stakeholders two weeks before we went live. This is the time when we need detailed information to share with stakeholders who will support delivery.” Shotton: “We are working closely with the Welsh Government on the 2.0 campaign to get people online. We also link into their Communities First project to support deprived areas. We share Information to get messages out early.”

Implementation Update On track to roll out in Bath, Harrogate and Shotton by Spring 2014. Working with Local Authorities in those areas to agree Delivery Partnership Agreements.