Finance expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning for people claiming universal credit following chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget announcement. On Wednesday Mr Hunt revealed "more rigorous" sanctions will be applied to encourage people on Universal Credit benefits into work.
Addressing the House of Commons, he said: "There are more than two million jobseekers in this group, more than enough to fill every single vacancy in the economy." Jeers were heard from the SNP as Mr Hunt claimed "independence is always better than dependence".
He continued: "Sanctions will be applied more rigorously to those who fail to meet strict work-search requirements or choose not to take up a reasonable job offer. For those working low hours, we will increase the Administrative Earnings Threshold from the equivalent of 15 hours to 18 hours at National Living Wage for an individual claimant, meaning that anyone working below this level will receive more work coach support alongside a more intensive conditionality regime."
