This week sees new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regulations come into effect. The change could see more than 120,000 working people on Universal Credit across the UK receive a job support boost.
Changes, which came into force on Sunday, February 26, mean thousands of low-paid workers will be moved from the ‘Light Touch’ group to the ‘Intensive Work Search’ group under the DWP Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET). The earnings threshold determines which group a Universal Credit claimant is placed in and impacts the level of support they receive to find work and develop a career.
Depending upon which AET group a person falls into will dictate the type of activities they must undertake on their job search pathway. For instance, researching new career options or 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. DWP said the change will help boost people's long-term prospects in the workplace following more face-to-face time with a work coach.
