1. DWP Operational Stakeholders Engagement Forum January Universal Credit Jean Cooling Department for Work and Pensions

2. 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 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Universal Credit Claimant Research

6. 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.”

7. 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.