Unions have criticised plans by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to tighten Universal Credit sanctions and force Jobcentre staff to be trained to apply the sanctions effectively. A report in The Independent says the requirement for benefits claimants who are lead carers of children to search for work are to be strengthened as part of a raft of measures that Mr Hunt will announce this week in what he is branding as a “back-to-work Budget”.
The sanctions scheme is aimed at getting hundreds of thousands of people into work but it has prompted concern among campaigners. In an overhaul that the Government claims is “the biggest reform to the welfare system in a decade”, the Work Capability Assessment – described as flawed by campaigners – is also to be axed.
The Government will also start paying childcare costs on Universal Credit up front, rather than in arrears, while the maximum amount people in receipt of benefits can claim for childcare will be increased by several hundred pounds.
