March 2018: Touchbase edition 125
Updated 9 March 2020
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Understanding Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new Understanding Universal Credit website to help people find out what Universal Credit means for them. It was created in response to requests from claimants and partner organisations for more information about Universal Credit.
The website provides information for:
- people who want to make a claim
- people who have already claimed
- organisations who advise people about Universal Credit
The website works alongside the Universal Credit guide, which people should continue to use to make a claim for Universal Credit.
First Universal Credit payment paid quicker
Everyone is now entitled to Universal Credit from the first day they claim, removing the 7 days some claimants had to wait.
This change, which came into effect on 14 February 2018, was announced as part of a wider £1.5 billion package of improvements to Universal Credit in the Autumn Budget 2017.
A number of other changes to Universal Credit are due to come into effect in April 2018.
New figures released on workplace pensions
One million employers across the UK have now enrolled their staff into a workplace pension, helping more than 9 million employees save towards a more financially secure retirement.
New figures, released by The Pensions Regulator, show that over 600,000 employers have complied with their automatic enrolment duties in the past year alone. The deadline is approaching for the remaining 150,000 employers, including new businesses set up since the government scheme was launched, to enrol their staff by June 2018.
The news coincides with a national government campaign which is encouraging people to Get to know your pension. The campaign reminds employers of their statutory obligations and encourages employees to get to know the benefits of saving into a workplace pension.
Get the clothes, get the confidence, get the job
DWP works in partnership with award-winning charity Smart Works, a free interview preparation service for all unemployed women.
To be eligible women must have an arranged job interview. Their work coach can then refer them to the scheme. At their appointment, women receive an outfit of high-quality clothing, free and theirs to keep, selected for them by 2 stylists. They then receive interview coaching with a senior HR or recruitment professional. All clothing is new or nearly new, donated by retailers and other women.
The service is available in:
- London (Islington and Ladbroke Grove)
- Edinburgh
- Reading
- Manchester (Stockport)
- Birmingham
It will be available in Newcastle shortly.
For more information email info@smartworks.org.uk.
News round-up
Number of children in workless households down over half a million since 2010
Update on the future of DWP jobcentres
Employment remains at near-record high
Call for more retailers to become Disability Confident
45,000 households move off benefit cap and into work