Browse our analysis of Universal Credit policy

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.

September 2019

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 Better Off 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