More than 120,000 Universal Credit claimants could be entitled to additional support ahead of a new pilot scheme that some 90 jobcentres across England and central Scotland are participating in. However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified not every jobcentre participating in a new pilot scheme rollout, which begins at the end of March, will be testing all three elements involved.
The DWP said claimants will benefit from more face-to-face time with a work coach - possibly 10 meetings over a two-week period - allowing them to access opportunities to increase their earnings, whether that is developing their skills, progressing in their current sector, or by starting a new role. New claimant commitments will be tailored to individual circumstances and will consider caring responsibilities and any health conditions.
New regulations were introduced last month which brought an increase to the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) which means that more Universal Credit claimants will be moved from the ‘Light Touch’ group to the ‘Intensive Work Search’ group. In a written response to Labour’s shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Jonathan Ashworth MP, DWP Minister for Employment Guy Opperman MP explained that the first phase of the pilot roll-out was completed on February 27, with 42 jobcentres joining the initial four proof of concept sites, Daily Record reports.
