How Council Tax support schemes should change to reflect the cost of living crisis and the restart of managed migration to Universal Credit.

Evidence into DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work
Policy in Practice was pleased to submit evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee’s inquiry into how prepared DWP and its Jobcentre Plus network is for changes in the world of work brought about by new technology.
The Committee asked to hear about the challenges DWP faces as a result of technological change, the extent to which it is already prepared for these, and what further changes might be needed to best support claimants in the future world of work.
July 2020

The Economics of Universal Credit
Policy in Practice welcomed the call for evidence by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee into the economics of Universal Credit and submitted evidence based on our own analysis, alongside feedback and recommendations from the frontline organisations with work with.
Our analysis considered how well has Universal Credit met its original objectives, and whether these the right ones; the economic impact and fiscal entrenchment; which claimants have benefited most from the Universal Credit reforms and which have lost out; how the world of work has changed since the introduction of Universal Credit and whether Universal Credit’s design adequately reflect the reality of low-paid work and how Universal Credit can better meet the lived experience of claimants.
February 2020

Universal Credit and Financial Resilience
Our Universal Credit analysis identifies 7 factors that determine a household’s ability to cope with the transition to Universal Credit. We find that at least 3.3 million households yet to move to Universal Credit, will face at least one of these challenges. But these factors can often interact and overlap. In addition, at least 1.2 million low-income households will face two or more of these challenges. We give 4 recommendations that Government should adopt now: a targeted grant in place of the Universal Credit advance payment, two-week run-on of Child Tax Credit, fortnightly payments of Universal Credit and greater flexibility in processes.

Natural migration to Universal Credit
Zoe Charlesworth, Head of Policy was invited to give evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on how moving onto Universal Credit will affect people and the differences between ‘natural’ and ‘managed’ migration.
March 2019

Managed migration to Universal Credit consultation
In August 2018 we submitted evidence to the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC)’s consultation on proposals for moving all existing claimants of a working age income-related benefit to Universal Credit.
We argued that the choice is between delivering a generic managed migration process to all households, versus a much more tailored, personalised approach. We said this opportunity to engage households should be seized, with the ambition not only to help people onto Universal Credit, but also to help people take steps toward independence.
August 2018

The implications of Universal Credit for people living with motor neurone disease (MND)
The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association) is interested in the impact that Universal Credit will have on people living with motor neurone disease (MND). Policy in Practice has been commissioned to carry out this research and present the findings in a report.
The report provides a background to Universal Credit and looks in-depth at those elements of Universal Credit that bear most relevance to people living with MND. It examines the Universal Credit claim process, highlights how this differs from legacy benefits, and the resulting impacts on those living with MND. The report makes recommendations that would assist the customer journey for those with MND.
Illustrative case studies that link to the Policy in Practice Benefit and Budgeting Calculator, that enable further modelling of benefit awards for those with MND, are also included.
June 2018

Autumn Budget 2017: Briefing option papers on Universal Credit
The briefing papers were created with feedback from practioners and analysis by Policy in Practice. The options in the papers were discussed with DWP and offer a range of suggestions that would ease the transition for the seven million households who will be receiving Universal Credit in the coming years.
November 2017
Options to reduce the 6 week wait
More options to improve Universal Credit

Universal Credit: Towards an effective poverty reduction strategy
This comprehensive review of Universal Credit finds that Universal Credit will help to reduce poverty through more money in people’s ‘pockets’ and improved ‘prospects’ upon entering work. The report recommends short, medium and long term reforms to Universal Credit to make the policy truly transformative. It was written by Deven Ghelani and Lisa Stidle and supported by the JRF.
June 2014
Managed migration to Universal Credit: How to help people on legacy benefits
Read how managed migration to Universal Credit will affect people differently and steps to take to support people.
Benefit sanctions set to increase dramatically and unevenly across the UK
Benefits sanctions are set for a big increase even without the new work search at four weeks rule for people on Universal Credit.
Over a million more people will be in poverty in April as we’re worse off than a decade ago
Over a million more people will be in poverty this April says new analysis from Policy in Practice ahead of the Spring Statement 2022.
Data analysis shows 1 in 4 London households will be in poverty by April
UK poverty rates are hard to understand due to outdated estimates. We look at how administrative data can help fill this gap.
How better use of Universal Credit can tackle the cost of living crisis
We look at the government’s case for uprating benefits by less than inflation and argue that Universal Credit should be made to work better.
Universal Credit: Why work search at four weeks is a lose-lose policy
We explore the new rule for Universal Credit work search at four weeks and explain why it’s a lose-lose policy for claimants and public purse.
Autumn Budget 2021: Increased support, but not for everyone
Following the Autumn Budget 2021 announcements, our policy experts analyse what this means for welfare in the UK.
How the Health and Social Care Levy will affect care workers
Analysis on the new Health and Social Care Levy by Policy in Practice finds that carers are set to pay £121 for doing their job
One council’s response to the end of Covid-19 support
Coronavirus support schemes come to an end: we discuss how councils are working to prevent crisis and income shocks for low-income households