The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that all Universal Credit claimants will face a new requirement from April
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a new measure that will require all Universal Credit claimants to report more frequently on any changes in their circumstances, starting from next month. The DWP disclosed that, as of the end of January, the number of people on Universal Credit had reached 7.5 million, which is an increase of 1.1 million compared to the same period last year.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, confirmed the forthcoming change set for April in his written response to Labour MP Nadia Whittome’s question about the “periodic redeclaration of circumstances every six months for Universal Credit claimants from April 2025”.
Sir Stephen said: “As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the department will prompt Universal Credit claimants to confirm whether they have had a change in circumstances that might affect their claim. Any changes in circumstances declared will be processed and verified in the usual way. A roll out of this initiative will commence in April and testing will help determine frequency.”
This policy shift will affect all individuals who are employed, unemployed, or self-employed and currently receive Universal Credit. Additionally, next month will see a 1.7 per cent increase in Universal Credit monthly payment rates, and third-party deductions will drop from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, starting on April 7.
The updated Universal Credit monthly payment rates for 2025/26 for singles and couples, as well as a detailed list of additional elements related to Universal Credit such as the Work Capability Allowance, can be found on GOV.UK.
The DWP is poised to reveal new strategies for welfare system reform before the Spring Statement on March 26, with the aim of aiding more people in obtaining and retaining jobs. Recent figures show a consistent rise in the number of individuals on Universal Credit under the ‘no work requirements’ conditionality regime, hitting 3.1 million in January 2025, reports the Manchester Evening News.
This overtook ‘searching for work’ as the largest conditionality regime in April 2022, happening as new claims are made to Universal Credit and people transition from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as part of the Move to Universal Credit. The upcoming DWP plans include steps to help those with variable or invisible health conditions secure and keep jobs, as detailed in the ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’ released last November.
Employment Minister Alison McGovern announced that the new schemes will provide support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, in addition to Access to Work grants.
The DWP minister has outlined a £240 million investment strategy aimed at bolstering the Labour Government’s efforts to combat economic inactivity and strive for an ambitious 80 per cent employment rate. This information came as a written reply to Labour MP Mark Sewards, who had enquired about measures to assist individuals with fibromyalgia, ADHD, and other less visible disabilities in returning to work.
Ms McGovern said: “As a Government, we want to support all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace, and we are looking to build on the findings of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment by gathering expert evidence in line with this expanded focus.
“Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live.
“Disabled people and people with health conditions, including those with fibromyalgia, ADHD and other invisible conditions, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.”
She highlighted the array of schemes in place to assist those facing challenges: “Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.”
Ms McGovern added the crucial part played by employers in furthering inclusivity, stressing the importance of “increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, to thrive as part of the workforce”. Meanwhile, policy buffs are keenly awaiting a consultation on proposed welfare system reforms, expected to drop this Spring.